Obone-Aratile Lekhehle
Northern Cape MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Lebogang Motlhaping, led a successful Service Delivery Outreach Programme in Gamagara Local Municipality on 9 October, where he conducted oversight of the R37 million Dibeng Bulk Water Infrastructure Project and handed over RDP houses.
Motlhaping was flanked by the Mayor of the Gamagara Local Municipality, Johannes Roman; the Speaker, Goitseone Sekgopi; Councillors; and government officials from different spheres.
Dibeng bulk water infrastructure project is expected to benefit approximately 17 325 residents in 3465 households.
It was implemented through a partnership between Gamagara Local Municipality and Afrimat Iron Ore, for the benefit of Dibeng residents.
Still in its first phase, the project kick-started in June 2025 and is anticipated to conclude at the end of October; the second phase is to be implemented as soon as the first is completed.
The focus is to increase groundwater supply, reduce avoidable water losses, enhance pumping reliability, improve water quality, and strengthen the local storage buffer.
The Acting Civil Engineer of COGHSA, Ditebogo Sebuasengwe, said 11 contract job opportunities were created, and 2 sub-contractors were brought on board throughout the duration of the project.
Johannes Roman, mayor of Gamagara Local Municipality, expressed concern that vandalism at the project has caused leaks and damage, which the municipality had to address.
“Security Companies are on site to address and deal with the issue of vandalism, to avoid us having to go back to the funders to address the same issue,” Roman said.
The second phase of the outreach programme was the handover of 16 of 142 houses and title deeds to the beneficiaries of the Siyathemba Housing projects.
The initiative is being implemented through the intergrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) in line with the Breaking New Grounds policy fame work.
Among the proud new beneficiaries was a jubilant Bakang Morongwe (34), from Siyathemba, who expressed gratitude at finally being a home- owner.
An excited Morongwe said he applied for an RDP house in 2022 after losing his job and ending up homeless.
He had to vacate the company house, where he had lived for 8 years while working at the mine.
“I lost my job due to a medical condition, and had to move back home to share a home with my grandmother, mother and 2 sisters,” said Morongwe.
He had to downgrade and start afresh after losing his independence.
“I waited for 4 years for my new beginning. My new house is fit enough to accommodate me, my wife, and our son.”
The MEC and dignitaries further accompanied the beneficiaries to plant trees as part of the sustainability programme.
The programme proceeded to the handover of the title deeds to 131 beneficiaries through the Title Deeds Friday campaign at the community hall.
Motlhaping urged the community to keep their title deeds safe and not sell their houses.
“It is important to educate our people about the title deeds and IRDP, because when you have benefited from this programme, you will never benefit from it again, even in another province,” Motlhaping exclaimed.
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