For the residents of Ha-Matsa, a rural village in Limpopo, the daily task of collecting water has become a fight for survival, as the community continues to live without any reliable access to clean water.
Despite numerous government proposals and planned water projects, little progress has been made over the years, forcing many villagers to rely on untreated streams and aging boreholes. These water sources are widely regarded as both unreliable and unsafe.
The water crisis has persisted for decades, leaving the community in a state of constant hardship. Health concerns are mounting as a direct result of the lack of clean water. According to a community leader, the situation has reached a breaking point, with the local clinic unable to fully operate due to the ongoing water shortage, further endangering the well-being of villagers.
Traditional Authority Leader Mana expressed deep frustration, stating that despite repeated efforts to engage local authorities and significant public outcry, little to no action has been taken to address the critical issue.
Matodzi Ralushai, spokesperson for the Vhembe District Municipality, outlined the municipality’s plans. Ralushai stated that Ha-Matsa and other villages are included in the municipality’s medium-term plan to drill new boreholes within the current financial year.
Ralushai added that the area is also slated to benefit from Phase 4 of the Mutshedzi Water Treatment Plant project. The spokesperson confirmed that the project began in 2021 and was supposed to be completed by June 2025 at a total cost of 664 million rand for the entire project.
For now, the people of Ha-Matsa village continue their daily struggle, waiting for promises to turn into a tangible reality and for clean, safe water to finally flow.
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