Story by Providence Maraneli
THE community of Swaithe in Umzingwane District is celebrating the installation of a piped water scheme at Mbalabala, a development that has brought an end to years of water challenges.
For decades, villagers around the Mbalabala business centre had been relying on unprotected water sources shared with livestock.
Today, that is all in the past as the new piped water system now supplies clean and safe water to more than 400 households.
Traditional leader Chief Mabhena said the initiative has transformed lives in the area.
“As traditional leaders we welcome this kind of development. It has helped the community to live a healthy life, and we urge other businesspeople to emulate what Mr Dongo has done,” he said.
Umzingwane Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Sithembiso Sibanda, noted that the project aligns with the local authority’s thrust to improve access to basic services through devolution funding.
“The piped water scheme is in line with our goal of providing critical services to communities. We are using devolution funds to construct clinics, bridges, and drill boreholes. We feel honoured to be commissioning this water scheme,” she said.
Local businessman Mr Mackenzie Dongo, who spearheaded the project, said the private sector has a key role to play in improving livelihoods.
“We saw the need for clean water and decided to act as a business operating within this community. We appreciate the conducive environment created by the government to do business, and we thank the President for that. We believe we can do even more,” he said.
The water scheme was officially commissioned by Umzingwane legislator and Deputy Minister of Defence, Brigadier General (Retired) Levy Mayihlome, who hailed the collaboration between the private sector and community.
“We appreciate what Mr Dongo has done here. This area has battled water challenges for more than 25 years, and this development aligns with our government’s vision. We call upon all businesspeople to emulate this effort,” he said.
The Second Republic continues to prioritise service delivery and infrastructure development in formerly marginalised communities, with the Swaithe piped water scheme standing as a testament to that commitment.
