02 Aug 2022

Members of Parliament on Friday continued with the debate on the motion which calls on government to consider providing clean drinking water to rural communities in farming areas and ungazetted settlements.

Tabled by Ngami MP, Mr Kainangura Hikuama, the motion requests government to consider providing clean drinking water to rural communities in farm lands, ungazetted settlements and cattle posts because drinking water and sanitation were a pre-requisite for achieving a minimum standard of health and to undertake productive activities.” 

Mr Hikuama also argued that his motion was in line with “the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal six of providing safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.”

In his debate, Takatokwane MP, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe said he supported the idea of providing water to ungazetted settlements.

However, he said there was need to clarify how such provisions could be made for farm lands and cattle posts.

 He said most settlements were established due to proximity to water sources that have since become a health hazard for drinking water.

He said although some settlements got water through bowsing, it was not reliable. “Bowsing is not reliable and the quality is not satisfactory,” he said.

Mr Leuwe further noted that some settlements were primary residential areas for some people, hence the need to provide them with services. 

He said providing such residents with water would also curb rural-urban migration.

For his part, MP for Molepolole North, Mr Oabile Regoeng opposed the motion, saying it was broad and not sustainable. 

He said Parliament had to make legislation that was attainable to avoid giving people false hopes. 

“We have to ask ourselves if some of these things are achievable and whether government can deliver within a reasonable period considering the financial implications,” he said.

He also said government was faced with challenges of providing water to big villages and towns, and that diverting resources to rural areas would worsen the situation. 

He said in availing services, priority should be given to highly populated areas.

He said plans were in place to provide water to settlements, either through bowsing or boreholes. 

“There are plans through the Ministry of Agriculture to provide water clustering and boreholes,” he said. Ends