EMALAHLENI – Construction of the KwaGuqa Water Pipeline Refurbishment Project officially got under way on Thursday, 30 July, with stakeholders saying the initiative will improve water supply and address ageing infrastructure that has long affected residents in KwaGuqa and surrounding communities.
The project was officially launched during a sod-turning ceremony at Lynnville Stadium, attended by representatives of the eMalahleni Local Municipality, Thungela Resources, the Nkulo Community Partnership Trust, traditional leaders and community members. Funded through a partnership between the eMalahleni Local Municipality and Thungela Resources via the Nkulo Community Partnership Trust, the project will replace ageing water pipelines that have been plagued by frequent pipe bursts, water losses, supply interruptions and rising maintenance costs.
The project, which will be implemented by local contractor Shodo Civils, will improve water infrastructure and benefit residents of Wards 9, 13 and 16. Addressing the gathering, Executive Mayor Vusi Nhlapho said the project represented more than an infrastructure upgrade.
"Water is not merely another municipal service. Life is water, and water is life. It is the foundation of health, dignity, education, economic activity and human development."
Nhlapho said replacing the pipeline would improve service delivery, strengthen water security and restore dignity to residents. He added that the municipality continues to work with partners to increase water supply despite ongoing financial challenges.
The mayor said the project would also create opportunities for local businesses and job seekers, while urging residents to protect the infrastructure from vandalism, illegal connections and unnecessary disruptions.
"We must fight in a manner that we want to hold hands and fix things in eMalahleni. It cannot happen that we bring a project, and then you wake up in the morning and decide to shut it down."
Speaking on behalf of Thungela Resources, Nompumelelo Sithole described the initiative as an example of how partnerships between the public and private sectors can improve communities.
She said the project initially focused on drilling a borehole, but technical assessments and consultations later identified refurbishing the ageing pipeline as the greater priority.
Sithole confirmed that Shodo Civils, a local contractor, had been appointed to implement the project, creating opportunities for local businesses while reinforcing the partnership's commitment to community development.
Calling on residents to safeguard the new infrastructure, she urged communities to protect the project from vandalism and interference.
"Once we've broken ground, once the contractor starts doing the work, you will guard this with your life."
Representing traditional leadership, Ndabezitha Nsizwa Mahlangu welcomed the project and praised the partnership between the eMalahleni Local Municipality, Thungela Resources and the Nkulo Community Partnership Trust.
He said traditional leaders would work with communities to ensure construction proceeds without disruption, while encouraging contractors to employ local people fairly and deliver quality work.
Construction is expected to improve the reliability of water supply in KwaGuqa and surrounding communities while reducing water losses and maintenance costs. Stakeholders said the project's long-term success will depend on continued cooperation and community ownership of the infrastructure.
