09 Jan 2025

Kanye Emergency Works Project aimed at revitalising water distribution across 12 wards in the village is nearing completion.

Lead Engineer and Project Manager from  Water Utilities Corporation Mr Nhlanhla Mbuli said the P397 million project was at 91 per cent completion as at November 2024.

He noted that the project, which was set to be commissioned in March, was expected to resolve the long-standing water distribution challenges faced by the residents.
The project has targeted Ntsweng, Mahikana, Taukobong, Kebuang, Tloung, Gookgano, Mmamokhasi, Sethugetsane, Logaba, Ditootso, Kgwatlheng, and Mathubapula wards.

With only 9 per cent of the work left to complete, Mr Mbuli was optimistic that the upcoming National Development Plan 12 would provide sufficient funding to address water supply and network rehabilitation needs for the rest of Kanye.

He said the budget allocations would include newly allocated plots which were currently without water pipeline infrastructure, such as the Losabanyana area.
Mr Mbuli emphasised that the initiative primarily focused on upgrading the aging pipe network, which had reached its life expectancy and was prone to bursts due to high water pressures.

He noted that factors contributing to inadequate water supply in Kanye included high-lying settlements that complicated water delivery and low-lying areas with pipelines that could not withstand pressure leading to frequent bursts.

Initially scheduled for completion in October 2024, the project faced delays due to residents’ non-compliance, as some denied contractors access to work on their land, citing inadequate compensation, he said.

Mr Mbuli reported that these issues had since been resolved, and they were eager to finalise the project to ensure residents received proper water services.

He urged residents to be patient with water utilities to complete the project and to reconsider their negative perceptions towards the wastewater project conducted in the area in the past.

He assured residents that all previous concerns, including property damage during excavation and compensation for affected land, would be addressed as previously discussed with the contractor. ENDS