National Water Week: Zim comes to Mzansi's rescue!

AFTER enduring years of unreliable water access in Musina, Limpopo, residents will soon breathe a sigh of relief.

This after Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday, 14 March.

Mchunu held another meeting with community leaders and members on Friday, 15 March.

This landmark agreement signals a collaborative effort to address Musina's water challenges through the transfer of treated water. The project is expected to be completed by 2026.

For too long, the people of Musina have been struggling with the consequences of inconsistent water supply, facing daily disruptions to their livelihoods and wellbeing.

Resident Cassandra Tivani told Daily Sun the situation forces them to travel long distances carrying buckets on their heads to fetch water from the local fire station.

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"Sometimes we have to buy water for R5 per container, which not all of us can afford. We can't wait to get clean water from Zimbabwe, and we hope the municipality does not bill us too much as most of us are unemployed," she said.

It's reported that the resolution comes after residents protested several times demanding constant water supply. Residents complained they sometimes get water twice a week and go without water for two weeks. They asked why the municipality bills them so much on incorrect assumptions of water usage.

Reekson Matamela, chairman of Sanco Musina Urban, said they'd be glad if the resolution addresses the water problem.

"Our people have been negatively affected for many years and when they don't pay the high water bills, they cut their electricity," he said.

Mchunu said: "We had a meeting with the committee as we wanted to know our commitment in addressing the problem. We are hoping that our relationship with Zimbabwe will grow bigger."

Masuka said: "I am very pleased today that on behalf of His Excellency, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa. This day has come to fruition as it has taken years of negotiation. Water challenges go beyond geographical and administrative boundaries, so they require transboundary cooperation. We hope the collaboration alleviates water issues."