08 Sep 2026

Kgalagadi North District is bracing for a difficult period of water shortage, extreme weather and rising service delivery costs.

Therefore,Council Chairperson, Mr Stephen Lekgobero has called for greater community cooperation to cushion residents against the challenges.

Mr Lekgobero said the district was already experiencing water supply interruptions in the Matsheng area because of declining borehole yields at Lehututu and Lokgwabe well fields.  Addressing a full council meeting recently, Mr Lekgobero said Water Utilities Corporation had deployed 30 000 liters water bowser to Hukuntsi as a short-term measure to supplement available supplies. He said, the water corporation was also engaging private borehole owners as potential alternative sources, subject to the boreholes meeting required water quality and quantity standards.

“Efforts are meanwhile being made to improve the reliability and sustainability of water supplies through renewable energy. A 15kw solar power system was installed at borehole 9184 in Ukhwi in June, while similar installations are planned for the Hunhukwe booster station and borehole 8881 in Inalegolo before the end of the year,” he said.

Mr Lekgobero appealed to residents to use water responsibly and pay their bills on time. The water situation could become more challenging in the coming months, with the seasonal forecast indicating a possibility of an El Niño during the 2026/27 rainfall season.

According to Mr Lekgobero, this could result in below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells and above-normal temperatures between October and March, while also increasing the risk of wildfires. He urged residents to conserve water, prepare for drought and wildfires, protect livestock and take precautions against heat- related illnesses.

“The warning comes as the district is already dealing with wildfires following good rains during the 2025/26 ploughing season, which resulted in thick layers of dry grass,” he said.

Mr Lekgobero said government resources for fire management remained constrained, but funds have been secured to remunerate people who assisted in suppressing wildfires. He called on farmers, communities and other stakeholders to work together to prevent and fight veld fires and, where possible, assist with maintaining firebreaks.

Meanwhile, he said the district continued to address social challenges, including gender-based violence, child welfare and support for vulnerable children. ENDS