MULTIPLE USE WATER SERVICES PROGRAMME (MUS).
Multiple Use Water Services is a demonstration programme funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with the Water Research Commission (WRC) as the implementing agent, the main objective is to look at the provision of water for multiple use water services such as domestic, livestock, irrigation and business entrepreneurs. It also meant to develop and sell a new community development approach that take into consideration community participation in planning and decision making. The programme involves ten communities in Limpopo Province, three (3) in Sekhukhune District Municipality namely Phiring, Ga-Mokgotho & Ga-Moela, five (5) in Vhembe District Municipality namely Tshakhuma, Khalavha, Ha-Gumbu, Lutomboni & Tshiheni and two (2) in Mopani District Municipality namely Thabine & Calais. Refurbishment of water facilities is almost complete, post construction survey has been completed in six communities and projects escalated into four communities. It is an interesting programme which gave us an opportunity to look at water services in a broad way other than just for domestic use only.
Achievements.
- A total of six community water infrastructure in Ga-Mokgotho, Ga-Moela, Phiring, Khalavha, Ha-Gumbu and Tshakhuma ten (10) small water schemes using different water sources like boreholes and springs were refurbished. This increased the amount of water available for multiple uses but also strengthen the relationship between Water Services Authorities and communities.
- Refurbishment in Lutomboni, Tshiheni, Thabine and Calais are ongoing and anticipated to be completed by November 2021. This project was delayed by Covid 19 restrictions it was supposed to be finished by October 2021.
- Eighty (80) Homesteads benefited from rainwater harvesting and water storage systems as part of the project.
- Ten community structure in a form of MUS forums received training on technical skills like plumbing, water quality, health & hygiene, Institutional Social Development, Climate Change adaptation and Gender Mainstreaming.
- Six co-operatives has been registered in the six communities, some has all the relevant documents requirement to enter into business opportunities and agreements.
- Partnership and collaboration has been created to allow further consultation and involvement.
Opportunities.
The programme put Tsogang Water & Sanitation & the ten communities on the map, which opened opportunities for future funding and upscaling the concept further.
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PROGRAMME, GA-NTATA VILLAGE FUNDED BY SANBI.
The Climate Change Adaptation Programme ended in September 2019, thanks to the entire Tsogang Water & Sanitation project team that worked week in and out to deliver this important project, the first of its own in Mopani District. The Organisation gained the necessary experience and knowledge on Global Warming which can be used to bring more resources in a form of funding. Cop-24 held in Spain-Madrid in December 2019, lot of developed countries committed resources to help affected developing communities worldwide to adapt to extreme temperatures, floods and severe drought that also affect water resources. (Developing countries were far more interested in pressing developed countries’ to live up to language in the 2015 Paris Agreement promising increased financial assistance above and beyond the goal of “mobilizing” $100 billion in finance by 2020 that was agreed to in the 2009 Copenhagen meeting). Under the decision in Poland, Parties are to initiate in November 2020 “deliberations on setting a new collective quantified goal a floor of USD 100 billion per year, in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency of implementation and taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries.” That will be a very difficult negotiation). It is important for the Organisation to incorporate Climate Change activities, awareness, adaptation and mitigation strategies in all new project concept notes compiled moving forward. Ga-Ntata community in Bolubedu, Greater Letaba Municipality can be used as an example on how small resources can bring hope, raise the awareness and bring people together and changes in the community. Achievements are the establishment and training of 30 Water Committee Members, refurbishment of two earth dams for livestock and other domestic use, installed 115 Homesteads and Institutions (Schools & Churches) rainwater harvesting systems, installation of five rain gauge, clearing of poisonous species/plants and building of gabions to prevent soil erosion.
Opportunities.
Climate Change has become a global project, it affects all of us including communities in a different but hard way. Developing countries has committed a lot of resources to help affected communities adapt to the situation and continue with their daily lives.
WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) IN THE 9 SCHOOLS (WATERAID)
The past eight months was spent on raising WASH awareness and building capacity in Vhembe District Municipality for government officials and community members including School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in Khalavha, Tshakhuma, HaMangilasi, Ramauba, Duthuni and Mavunde. Also engaged the Limpopo Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture at National, Provincial and District level and Vhembe District Municipality, this provided the team an opportunity to revive the District Sanitation Task team/WASH. Targeted schools for then new programme are Masuvhelele, Mulangaphuma, Matavha & Gilbert Mulondo Primary Schools, Jack Lavhengwa Secondary, Rasivhetshele Primary, Ramauba Secondary, Ligege secondary and Mavunde Primary Schools.
The Project scope of work include training School WASH clubs on Hygiene, Operation and Maintenance, building new Water borne/female friendly Ablution Facilities, refurbish existing Water & Sanitation facilities (Environloo), Menstrual Hygiene Management and establish nutritional gardens. Construction has completed in 5 schools namely Masuvhelele, Mulangaphuma, Matavha & Gilbert Mulondo Primary Schools, Jack Lavhengwa Secondary and is on going in four schools namely Rasivhetshele Primary, Ramauba Secondary, Ligege secondary and Mavunde Primary Schools. Local builders has been appointment to build the infrastructure with supervision from Tsogang Water & Sanitation, the main objective is to promote the local ownership, build capacity and enhance sustainability.
CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION & TRAINING AUTHORITY (CETA)
This is a twelve months internship programme for ten (10) Civil Engineering students, Vhembe (3), Mopani (4), Capricorn (1) & Waterberg District (1) in Limpopo Province and Ehlanzeni District (1) in Mpumalanga Province. The programme started in February 2019 and will end again in February 2020, to date interns has learnt different skills like how to work with community members, reading and interpreting designs, compile bill of quantities, report writing and construction supervision. Interns also participated and gain experience working with the International Water Management Institute conducting Post Construction survey on the Multiple Use Water Services Programme. This afforded the opportunity to mix science with technical knowledge which is something lacking within the water sector.
COVID-19 INTERVENTIONS
The project constructed 12 hand wash stations, additional water storages and distribution of PPE’s /cleaning equipment in Vhembe district namely Tshakhuma Tribal/Home Affairs point, Tshakhuma market, Khalavha Thondoni, Mandala pay point, Dopeni/ Saamstan old age Centre, Ha-Gumbu, 4 Musina Refugee camps, Thohoyandou Children’s Home and other 7 villages of Musina local Municipality to combat the spread of Covid-19 in rural communities, community sites and refuge camps.
COVID 19 INTERVENTIONS IN SIX SCHOOLS
The project implemented in six schools in Vhembe District namely John Marubini Primary, Jack Lavhengwa Secondary, Ligege Secondary, Rasivhetshele Pimary, Ramauba Secondary and Mavunde Primary Schools. The project scope of work was to constructed 72 permanent hand wash concrete basins, water storages and Covid-19 awareness.