10 Aug 2015

Khoemacau Copper Mining has been commended for donating a tank and pipeline for Somelo in the Ngamiland region, which will help address the dire water situation in the village.

North West District Council (NWDC) chairperson, Mr Reaboka Mbulawa expressed his gratitude to Khoemacau for the project worth about P300 000, which draws water 35 kilometres from the Somelo community.

Cllr Mbulawa was speaking at the handover of the project recently to Water Utilities Corporation (WUC).

He thanked Khoemacau for assisting WUC and the government.

The council chairperson said the water pump installation would ensure that residents of Somelo have reliable water supply.

He noted that the gesture by Khoemacau was in line with the Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation.

Cllr Mbulawa noted that before the water project was completed, Khoemacau provided water to the Somelo community through tanks.

It also sponsored the local primary school prize giving ceremony, the village independence celebrations and diesel for the borehole which watered livestock.

He implored the WUC management to ensure sustainable water supply to the community.

Kgosi Mokutshwane Komee said the pipeline project was a breakthrough to the prolonged water crisis, which has affected his community for many years. 

An official from the mining company, Mr Johannes Tsimako said they noted the Somelo water crisis when the mine, which was then named Hana Gantsi Copper Mine, started exploration in 2007. 

He said the pipeline project was incepted in 2012 to help address the situation, adding that with the help of community leaders, they began to search for underground water.

Mr Tsimako said they experienced hardships and setbacks, but were finally successful as evidenced by the handing over of the project.

The WUC general manager, Mr Moitseemang Manthe expressed his gratitude to Khoemacau Copper Mining and promised that the corporation would ensure adequate water supply for Somelo. ENDS