Pretoria: Thousands of residents in the rural communities of Macambini and Ndulinde in KwaZulu-Natal are set to benefit from improved access to fresh and reliable water following the completion of two water supply schemes in the areas.
According to South African Government News Agency, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, together with Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, will officially unveil two water supply schemes aimed at improving access to reliable and sustainable water supplies for rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal. The unveiling of the Macambini and Ndulinde schemes is scheduled to take place on 15 August on the outskirts of Mandeni within the Mandeni Local Municipality in the iLembe District.
The water infrastructure projects, implemented by the iLembe District Municipality, are part of the government's ongoing efforts to expand water access in rural areas and strengthen water security across the province. The Macambini Water Supply Scheme, part of a long-term project initiated in 2004, aims to provide clean drinking water to the Macambini area, which has an estimated population of approximately 33,000 people from more than 6,000 households.
Phases 4, 5, and 6 of the Macambini project included the installation of over 2,000 yard standpipes, supplying clean drinking water to more than 2,000 households in eNdondakusuka, eMangethe, and eMangeza. The implementation of Phase 5D created approximately 63 direct job opportunities for local residents.
The Ndulinde Water Supply Scheme supplies fresh water to 488 households in Ndulinde Ward 6, as well as communities in Zone 5, including Mfuze, St Cyprian, Mathunzi, and Matshamhlophe. Prior to this project, the community relied on communal standpipes, which were insufficient to meet residents' needs. The scheme includes newly installed domestic water meters capable of detecting water leaks, which is expected to improve water use efficiency and reduce physical water losses in the area.
The Ndulinde area has an estimated population of approximately 12,474 people from more than 3,000 households. During the implementation of Phase 4D, approximately 43 direct job opportunities were created for local communities, as stated by the department.