Elmon Tshikhudo
Lwamondo village is one of the worst water-starved areas in the Vhembe District of Limpopo.
For years, the village of hundreds of households has gone for periods of up to three months without water, forcing residents to buy from people who have private boreholes.
But the women in the area have finally had enough. Faced with this challenge, they have solved it by connecting water from a river high up in the mountain down to their village.
One of the women, Shumani Masunzi, told Scrolla.Africa that they have tried to engage the local municipality but if they are lucky they would get water for a few days from their taps – and then go another three months without a drop.
“Life has been difficult. Most families are indigent and no one is working,” she said.
“The women could not sit around crying while the community was suffering. We had to stand up and do something to get out of the predicament we found ourselves in.”
Masunzi said they knew there was water in the river up there in the mountain but they first had to come up with a plan to draw it down to the village for use.
Each household that could contribute added R2,500 to the project and with that money, the women managed to buy pipes and water tanks.
“At first we hired a man whom we know had expertise but he failed us.
“We had to do it ourselves.”
And now? “We all have plenty of water, with six 5,000-litre tanks in the village,” Masunzi said.
Another of the women, Livhuwani Netshiongolwe, called on men not to underestimate the power of women.
“We have been without water for a long time but we as women saw the opportunity and we made use of it. We now have water all over the village,” she said.
“We have long term plans as women. Not long from now we will be starting agricultural projects that will sustain all our homes, using this water.”
