The Minister of Water and Sanitation Ms Nomvula Mokonyane together with the Premier of KZN Mr Senzo Mchunu, will lead a delegation to the Jozini Local Municipality in the UMkhanyakude District of KZN province on Friday, 29 August 2014.

The purpose of this visit is to bring to reality the issue of “source-to-tap” as the Jozini Dam is now on the throes of servicing the community within its locality. This will be as they launch the Pongolapoort Bulk Water Supply Scheme (Jozini-Ingwavuma) which is Phase 1A of a larger project.

The more than thirty-year old dam that has been a single-purpose dam for the best part of its life is now being turned into a multi-purpose dam that will not just carry water through villages to far away destinations with the surrounding communities remaining without water.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, the Province of KZN, together with the UMkhanyakude District and Jozini Local Municipalities are co-operating in ensuring that water from the dam is reticulated to the surrounding communities, a process that will ensure that the community will in truth enjoy the benefits of government infrastructure that is within its locality.

The challenges of water in the area have been well documented. Minister Mokonyane believes that the people in the area, like all other people in South Africa, deserve to be assisted and the basic services brought closer to them. In this regard, the Department of Water and Sanitation officials, together with colleagues at the provincial and local levels, including the Mhlathuze Water Board, an entity reporting to the department, will have to hold hands and ensure that the ideals of the government are realised and the dreams of the community brought to reality.

Minister Mokonyane will be accompanied by Premier Mchunu, MECs, the District and Local Mayors, the local traditional leadership, and other dignitaries.

The details of the visit and launch are as follows:
Date: 29 August 2014
Time: 10h00  to 13h00
Venue: Jozini Local Municipality offices, then Pongolapoort Bulk Water Supply

Scheme site, followed by a community engagement at the Msiyane Sports Ground near the school, Othobothini, Jozini.

All media are invited.

For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 076 219 5380

Media RSVP to:
Jacob Mkhize
Cell: 082 925 2873