MEDIA STATEMENT
Minister Majodina concludes Limpopo Ministerial handover of water
infrastructure at Senwabarwana – Blouberg Local Municipality
For Immediate Release
06 September 2026
Over the two days, 05 – 06 September 2026, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina
handed over water projects in two local municipalities of Mogalakwena and Blouberg in
Limpopo Province to advance government’s commitment to provide reliable access to safe
drinking water and improving water supply to the areas that were previously unserved in the
municipalities.
On Saturday 05 September 2026, the Minister was accompanied by Limpopo Premier Dr
Phophi Ramathuba in Mogalakwena Local Municipality and MECs for Provincial Treasury,
and Corporate Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mr
Kgabo Mahoai and Mr Pule Shayi, to hand over the completed Jakkalsuil Water Treatment
Works to the Executive Mayor of Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Cllr Ngoako Taueatsoala.
The Jakkalskuil Water Treatment Works was funded by the Department of Water and
Sanitation’s (DWS) Regional and Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and was implemented by
Mogalakwena Local Muncipality as the Water Services Authority (WSA) through five major
packages. The projects’ packages entailed: the construction of the 5.8 megalitres per day
Krooomkloof Water Treatment Works (WTW) and High Lift Pump Station; completion of the
bulk water supply network; construction of the 3.5 megalitres (ml) command reservoir;
refurbishment of 46 community reservoirs across 26 villages; and the completion of borehole
development and pumping mains to the Kroomkloof Water Treatment Works.
Kroomkloof WTW is currently operational and is treating bulk water sourced from 17 boreholes
and stores drinkable water to the 3,5 ml command reservoir in Ga-Malapile village which will
be supplying to other 19 villages.
Mogalakwena Executive Mayor Cllr Ngoako Taueatsoala said the WTW will provide portable
water to 25 villages in Bakenberg Cluster which amongst them include Kromkloof, Ga-
Malapile, Mahabaneng, Matebeleng, Nelly, Galakwena, Jakkalskuil/Ga-Mashidi, Wydhoek,
“Today marks a monumental step forward for our people whom for years have faced
challenges regarding the reliability and safety of our water supply. For too long, our people
have faced severe challenges of water scarcity and inconsistent water supply, but today we
turn that tide. The official opening of this Kromkloof Water Treatment Plant is a major victory
for both the Department of Water and Sanitation and Mogalakwena Local Municipality and is
SOUTH AFRICA IS A WATER-SCARCE COUNTRY
Department of Water and Sanitation South Africa
DWS_RSA
a testament to our ongoing efforts to deliver real solutions and secure water services for
hundreds of households,” said Cllr Taueatsoala.
Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba reiterated the same sentiments and said the
infrastructure projects handed over in the province are a milestone that carries with it the
hopes, dignity and aspirations of thousands of the people residing in the province.
“They say that when government delivers on its promises, hope is restored. Today, hope flows
as freely as the water that will soon reach our communities. Indeed, today we are affirming
the constitutional right of every citizen to access clean, safe and reliable water”
“As the Limpopo Provincial Government, we warmly welcome and commend the Minister,
Deputy Ministers and the leadership of the Department of Water and Sanitation for their
unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our people. Since their visit to our province,
we have witnessed renewed urgency, stronger collaboration and visible progress in
addressing long-standing water challenges”, said Premier Ramathuba.
Today, Sunday 06 September 2026, Minister Majodina together with Deputy Minister
Mahlobo, accompanied by MEC Pule Shayi handed over two completed Water Supply
Scheme projects to Cllr Maria Thamaga, the Executive Mayor of Blouberg Local Municipality.
The water schemes are implemented by Capricorn District Municipality as the Water Services
Authority and will improve water supply to the communities of Maokeng and Dilaeneng
Townships in Senwabarwana.
The two projects funded by DWS’ Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) provide a
coherent package of source development; storage and reticulation. They therefore address
the water-supply chain from the water source to a point of access by the communities.
Maokeng Water Supply Scheme is valued of R11.28 million and has a beneficiary footprint of
285 households. The works comprise two equipped and electrified boreholes, two pump
houses, a 150-kilolitre elevated steel tank, 5.5 kilometres of pipelines in three diameters, 50
standpipes and security fencing around key assets.
Dilaeneng Water Supply carries a project value of approximately R11.84 million and is profiled
to benefit 557 households. Its infrastructure package mirrors the Maokeng intervention: two
boreholes, two pump houses, 150 kilolitres of elevated storage and 5.5 kilometres of
reticulation. The project provides a larger communal access component, with 100 standpipes.
The Executive Mayor of Capricorn, Cllr Mamodupi Teffo said the water projects are mainly
dependent on groundwater because of unavailability of a water course in the area. She has
however acknowledged the support from the DWS to ensure that there is extension of water
to the communities.
SOUTH AFRICA IS A WATER-SCARCE COUNTRY
Department of Water and Sanitation South Africa
DWS_RSA
“These two projects have improved access to water by the communities, and this is because
of the support from the DWS through its funding to the municipality. However, the main
challenge is that the areas of Blouberg, Molemole and Lepelle Nkumpi local municipalities do
not have a surface water source, but the plans are in place in collaboration with the
Department to draw water from the dams in other far-flung areas to supply the municipalities
with water,” said Executive Mayor Teffo.
Minister Majodina called on the Department to facilitate the feasibility studies to establish long
term solutions to extract water from the sources that can be used to supply water to the
municipalities.
“We all know that groundwater is not sustainable and therefore the DWS should investigate
ways that will bring water to these municipalities that do not have surface water. We will
continue to monitor progress on these plans and feasibility studies”, said the Minister.
Minister Majodina called on the communities to protect and safeguard the water infrastructure
from being vandalised.
“These infrastructures do not only belong to the municipality but also belongs to you. It is
therefore important that you, as communities, come together and ensure that they are
protected. We appreciate the collaboration between the municipality and the Department of
Water and Sanitation to ensure that people have access to water. I believe that there will be
further collaboration between the Department and Capricorn District Municipality, to ensure
that groundwater is augmented by surface water”, said Minister Majodina.
END
For more information, contact Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of
Water and Sanitation on 060 561 8935/ mavasaw@dws.gov.za
For media releases, speeches, and news visit the Water & Sanitation portal at:
www.dws.gov.za
SOUTH AFRICA IS A WATER-SCARCE COUNTRY
Department of Water and Sanitation South Africa
DWS_RSA
