THEMBISILE HANI – Communities in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality are expected to benefit from improved access to clean drinking water after Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and Rand Water officially handed over three new boreholes on Friday, 03 July 2026.
The boreholes, located in Vezubuhle, Mzimuhle and Rhenostenfontein, were donated by the Rand Water Foundation as part of the Department of Water and Sanitation's Nelson Mandela Month commemorations. The project aims to improve access to safe drinking water in previously underserved communities.
The handover ceremony was attended by Executive Mayor Cllr Lesetja Dikgale, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo, Mpumalanga MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Speed Mashilo, Nkangala District Executive Mayor Thomas Ngwenya, Rand Water Chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo, as well as municipal, Rand Water and Department of Water and Sanitation officials.
The fully equipped boreholes will benefit residents of Vezubuhle, Mzimuhle, Rhenostenfontein, Engwenyameni, Gemsbok, Rhenostenfontein Farm 152 and Rhenostenfontein Farm 155.
Gemsbokspruit Mzimuhle resident Mama Mahlangu became emotional as she reflected on the community's long struggle to access clean water.
"For years we walked long distances and drank water that was not clean. Today we finally have purified water in our community. This is dignity restored," she said.
The Ward 20 councillor said residents had endured severe water shortages, with many forced to walk long distances and use wheelbarrows to collect water.
"People were suffering because of water shortages. They had to carry water from a distance using wheelbarrows. Sometimes it took hours to get clean water. Today Rand Water has fulfilled that dream, especially during Mandela Month. This is a great achievement for our community. I encourage residents to protect this borehole because water is life."
Dikgale said addressing the municipality's water challenges would require continued cooperation between government and all stakeholders.
Mashilo said the boreholes were a direct response to service delivery challenges in the area and called on all spheres of government to continue working together to improve people's lives.
Speaking to Highveld Chronicle, Rand Water Acting General Manager Anne Monaheng urged residents to safeguard the boreholes against vandalism.
"We urge the people of Vezubuhle and Rhenostenfontein to protect these boreholes at all times. If they are vandalised, communities will be back where they started and left without water. As the Minister indicated, the bigger project is the Loskop Dam project, which will ultimately provide water to Limpopo and Thembisile Hani. These boreholes will therefore serve as a temporary solution. We are confident the municipality will ensure they are properly maintained."
Majodina said the intervention was in line with former President Nelson Mandela's call to serve communities with compassion, adding that access to clean water remains central to restoring dignity and improving people's quality of life.
The municipality said the project would also help reduce water-borne diseases while creating employment opportunities through the maintenance and operation of the boreholes.
