22 Aug 2013

Consequent water rationing in some villages due to shortage of water is something that is unheard of in Masingwaneng.

Located in the North East District, Masingwaneng is one of the villages that drink from the 26 million cubic metre Ntimbale Dam which has become a gem for the local communities.

Not only has the dam improved water reticulation in the area, it has also become a spark of life to livestock farming in the area, saving farmers the previous struggle of wandering in search of water sources for their animals.

This is why the construction of the dam was a welcome development that people of the north east district will forever treasure in their hearts.

Kgosi Solomon Masingwaneng is one of the people who witnessed all the stages of construction until the dam sprang to life in 2005. “We are blessed to have a dam like Ntimbale,” he said during an interview.

When the government took the decision not to fence the dam, farmers, especially those who did not have boreholes, knew that half their problem had been solved.

However, just less than a decade after the dam was completed things took a different twist when Masingwaneng village started experiencing overwhelming numbers of strange cattle more than ever anticipated.

“We do not know where this large herd of cattle is coming from because most of them do not have cattle brands,” he said, the bright smile that initially covered his face instantly vanishing.

Not only does the issue give Kgosi Masingwaneng sleepless nights, it has also taken toll on the once active former mine worker. And, as a responsible leader, he has vowed to take the problem head-on.

Not the one to fold his arms and watch as the problem exacerbated, he has since made some interventions by engaging officials from the council to help rescue the situation.

However, their efforts to get hold of the animals were fruitless as the untamed animals ran for their lives the moment they spotted a human figure.

“Those cattle behave like wild animals and run away when they spot a human figure. It is hard to catch them,” said Kgosi Masingwaneng.

However, he said he would not rest until the situation was addressed because if not, the visionary leader foresaw a situation whereby cattle thieves got attracted to the area.

“Sometimes we see vehicles not belonging to WUC going in the direction of the dam; we do not know who these people are and what their aim is, he wondered”

As a visionary leader, Kgosi Masingwaneng said he wanted the best for his village and did not want its name to be dragged on the mud as a result of criminal activities.

This has also been confirmed by a police officer who resides in the village, Mr Bathusi Thokwa, who said stray livestock without brands roamed the village as they wish.

Like Kgosi Masingwaneng, Mr Thokwa believes that the animals were attracted by the availability of water in the area. He said the situation had led to soil erosion as a result of over stocking. “The grass is no more and this has resulted in soil erosion,” he said.

The fear is that if the situation is not addressed urgently, Masingwaneng will be a hive for criminal activities.

Even though the dry season has already set in, Ntimbale dam is still full of life and continues to provide water to the north east villages.  ENDS