South Africa: School Children in Vhembe Wake Up At 4 - 30am to Fetch Water

Water is not reaching households, despite millions spent on projects.

In Mabilingwe village, learners wake up at 4:30 AM. They fetch water before school. They pull six 25-litre containers on trolleys to a borehole. This round trip is up to ten kilometres long. Only then can they bathe and prepare for school.

In 2021, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) reported water struggles in Mabilingwe. Various water projects failed to deliver in the Vhembe district.

Last month, the SAHRC revisited the area. "We are not happy about the situation," said Victor Mavhidula, Limpopo manager of the commission.

Millions have been spent by the national Department of Water and Sanitation. However, Vhembe District Municipality's systems are dysfunctional. Pumps and reservoirs are broken and deteriorating, according to Mavhidula.

He mentioned that the SAHRC may consider court action. The 2021 report noted that the Department was failing its oversight role. It did not intervene when municipalities failed to provide water, violating the Water Services Act.

Department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa told GroundUp about monthly meetings with municipalities. These meetings discuss progress on water projects, including challenges and solutions. There are also site inspections conducted regularly.