Water supply improvement in KwaXimba

SIPHELELE BUTHELEZI 

RESIDENTS of KwaXimba, in the west of Durban, welcomed the City's interventions to address prolonged water outages in the area. 

The KwaXimba area is supplied from the Cato Ridge Reservoir as part of the Midmar Dam supply through the Western Aqueduct scheme. 

Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda recently held an imbizo yamanzi in the area. This was after community members raised concerns over continuous interrupted water supply to their area through a series of protests in recent weeks. 

To respond to the water supply challenge in the area, short to long-term plans have been instituted.

These plans include the urgent installation and commissioning of a two mega litre per day Package Plant in the Mvini area. 

This is expected to be operational by May. 

This plant will be replaced with bigger infrastructure, a five mega litre per day Package Plant when the City has finalised the procurement process. 

The construction of two boreholes is also at an advanced stage and the replacement of pipelines that have leaks. 

Mayor Kaunda explained that historically the KwaXimba area used to have sufficient water to meet demand. However, due to population growth in the area, the demand for water has now exceeded available supply.

''The population growth means that the City can only supply 50 percent of KwaXimba with piped water while other areas are supplied through water tankers. Most recently, the City has not been able to supply piped water at all to the KwaXimba community due to challenges from Midmar which affected the entire Western Aqueduct supplied areas,'' said Mayor Kaunda. 

Other interventions include pressurising the Western Aqueduct and forcing more water into the Cato Ridge Reservoir. These interventions have already seen an improvement on the system. 

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Home sweet home 

MLUNGISI DLAMINI

NGIZWILE Dladla and Nomusa Sithole were all smiles when they received their new homes from Ward 103 Committee member Mbongeni Gwala together with the other KwaNyuswa leadership. 

The two houses were built under the Qiniselani Manyuswa Housing Project. 

Gwala congratulated the beneficiaries who had been patient while waiting for their houses. 

''The Qiniselani Manyuswa Housing Project has been ongoing for some time, with more units to be built. The project aims to provide housing for destitute families. We understand there is a dire need for housing, but we urge the public to be patient,'' said Gwala. 

Dladla thanked eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda and Ward Councillor Linda Mchunu for her new home. ''As a pensioner, I would not have been able to build this house on my own. I was on the waiting list for a long time, but never lost hope or confidence that I would receive a house. I thank God because all things are possible with Him,'' she said, with a huge smile on her face. 

The other beneficiary Sithole said she was at a loss for words. 

''I would also like to thank Councillor Mchunu for her assistance. I am glad that today I have a place called home, the house is very beautiful and I am so grateful,'' said Sithole. 

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Construction of Burbreeze Pedestrian Bridge underway

MLUNGISI DLAMINI 

THE reconstruction of the Burbreeze Pedestrian Bridge in oThongathi has commenced. This comes after the previous bridge was washed away during the floods in 2022. This left residents without a bridge unable to safely cross the river. The repair project started in January and is anticipated to be completed in October this year. 

Residents will also benefit from job creation as the project has a 30 percent Community Participation Goal implementation plan. Local suppliers and emerging contractors will be utilised for hiring of construction equipment, procurement of materials, gabion protection works, and as local security guards. 

The reinforced concrete three span pedestrian bridge will be constructed on piles and connect to the walkways on each approach, allowing for safe access over the river. 

Previously, there was a reinforced concrete pedestrian bridge that was washed away in the 2022 floods. 

The contractor is required to ensure that a minimum of 50 percent of the labour force is comprised of locals. 

The skills transferred to locals through this employment are set in place. 

The bridge will help stabilise socio-economic activities and allow easy access to facilities such as schools, clinics, shops and public transport. 

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