01 Jun 2022

The recently equipped borehole at Mothomelo in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is not only expected to reduce bowsing costs but also improve the water situation for setlements in the reserve.

Speaking during a tour of the borehole by members of Ghanzi District Council recently, the council’s principal roads engineer, who was project manager during the equipping of the borehole, Ms Follah Leero said the borehole would drastically cut travelling distance of bowsing water from Kaudwane and NewXade.

Ms Leero therefore said the borehole, which would be a refill point for all settlements in CKGR, would ease the escalating running costs of providing  water to CKGR settlement.

She said equipping of this borehole was done in house at a cost of over P 134 000.

The project she said commenced on April 6 and was completed on April 13. 

Ms Leero said the borehole was protected by manhole cover as the elephants were rampant in that area.

Powered by a portable petrol 3 phase generator, the borehole  could fill up 14 thousands litres bowser tank in 2 hours, she said.

Ghanzi district council Deputy council secretary, Mr Omphile Mosweu said the arrangement was an interim measure while awaiting the ministry responsible for proving portable water to develop a permanent and sustainable water supply for CKGR settlements.

Briefing CKGR settlement dwellers in a series of meetings, Ghanzi district council deputy chairperson, Mr Ezekiel Kajuu said a total of 96 000 litres of water was bowsed to the settlements. 

The settlements included Molapo, Metsiamanng, Mothomelo and Gugamma while Gope was supplied by Ghaghoo Diamond Mine.

Mr Kajuu also told residents that council would increase water storage by installing 10 000 litre water tanks at Mothomelo, Metsiamong, Molao and 5 000 litre tank at Gugamma.

He also said Ghanzi council was in the processes relocating equipment from dried out Molapo community borehole and equip water affairs borehole as a temporary measure to improve water situation. 

He further thanked Ghaghoo Diamond Mine management for supplying water to Gope residents.

For his part, Charleshill sub-district council deputy chairperson, Mr Ofentse Moapare said a tour to CKGR settlements was a step in the right direction as vision 2036 stipulated that no one should be left behind in terms of developments.

He said the district was doing its best to satisfy sustainable development goals by providing services to CKGR resident, citing zero hanger and clean water goals. 

Meanwhile, CKGR settlement dwellers expresses satisfaction on the provision of services in the form of water, food rations and civil registration services particularly national identity card services.

The residents however urged government to improve health care service provision which they said was on the decline in their settlements.

In response, Mr Kajuu said they were planning to organise joint trips with clinics to ease the situation, saying the challenge was largely due to shortage of transport to CKGR settlement which was exacerbated by breakdowns of clinic vehicles. ENDS