MQANDULI, Eastern Cape — The Mncwasa community in Mqanduli is now receiving critical relief through the National Water Access Acceleration Programme, a targeted intervention designed to combat the severe water scarcity plaguing the Eastern Cape. As the most water-stressed province in the country, where more than six in ten residents currently lack access to piped water, this initiative marks a vital step forward for the OR Tambo District.
Initially launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the programme prioritizes the rapid installation of groundwater boreholes. This approach serves as a pragmatic interim measure to address immediate hydration needs while broader infrastructural conversations continue. During recent on-site engagements between local officials and residents, the first phase of these installations was officially concluded, though some community members continue to voice grievances over previously promised, yet unfinished, comprehensive piped water networks.
Gaster Sharpley, Chairperson of the Amatola Water Board, addressed the logistical and financial realities of rural water delivery. He emphasized that eradicating decades-old water backlogs cannot happen overnight due to the massive capital required. Consequently, groundwater extraction via boreholes has emerged as the most viable short-term alternative to the expensive and environmentally unsustainable reliance on water tankers.
To illustrate the cost-effectiveness of this strategy, Sharpley highlighted a specific local installation: a single borehole, funded at 4.4 million rand, successfully supplies water to 92 households. By contrast, attempting to service the same number of homes using traditional surface water and bulk piping infrastructure would cost approximately 43,000 rand per household—a figure that escalates dramatically given the vast geographic distances between rural villages.
Beyond economics, groundwater offers distinct security and health advantages. Sharpley noted that subterranean infrastructure is significantly less vulnerable to the vandalism that frequently disrupts exposed surface water systems. Furthermore, the safety of the supply is strictly monitored. Water undergoes rigorous testing prior to commissioning, with ongoing quality assurance managed jointly by the OR Tambo District Municipality and the Amatola Water laboratory. The reliability of this supply was recently demonstrated on-site when the Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation personally consumed a glass of the newly tapped water during a community meeting.
Despite these advancements, geographical hurdles remain a focal point of community concern. The drilling site for the featured borehole is situated approximately 8 to 10 kilometers away from the distribution tap. In rural landscapes characterized by expansive homesteads, agricultural yards, and livestock, this distance raises valid accessibility questions, particularly for elderly residents who may struggle to transport water over such lengths.
While acknowledging these spatial challenges, Sharpley maintained that groundwater remains the most responsible immediate solution. However, he stressed that it is not the final answer. The ultimate, long-term objective for the province remains the development of robust surface water reticulation, which is necessary to guarantee equitable, permanent water security for both rural and urban populations across the Eastern Cape.
