Rand Water to equip local boreholes

Rand Water to equip local boreholesSecond phase of Zuma donation Some N$50 million of the N$100 million drought relief donation from South Africa will now be put to use at 104 boreholes in the north. The South African High Commission has announced that Rand Water has been mandated for the N$50 million rehabilitation of the 104 boreholes as part of that country's N$100 million donation to Namibia in 2013.

Rand Water is South Africa's largest water utility and supplies water to Gauteng.

The deputy head of the South African High Commission, Eli Bitzer, informed Namibian Sun that the company was busy with the preparation of the sites, training locals and other tasks before they kick off operations.

Bitzer said that a memorandum of understanding between South Africa and Namibia was concluded and signed on 15 June 2015.

“The drought relief project envisaged two phases the first of which was a delivery of maize and drought-resistant seeds and which was successfully concluded mid-2016. The second phase, namely the rehabilitation of existing boreholes and the sinking of some new boreholes in five regions of Namibia that had been identified by the Namibian government (Kavango, Kunene, Omaheke, Ohangwena and Zambezi), commenced in 2016 with the establishment of both a joint steering committee and an implementation committee in terms of the agreement,” Bitzer said.

He said that throughout both phases, the Namibian government was invited to indicate its needs and priorities and this has remained the point of departure.

This has necessitated various rounds of discussion, planning and fine-tuning as well as an allocation of responsibilities and a sharing of capacity, which includes the involvement of the local communities that are to be served.

Bitzer added that in the case of the boreholes it has been necessary to first consider local circumstances and feasibilities.

For example, the possibility to use solar power instead of diesel, the need to protect the boreholes from both wild animals (elephants) and theft, and the essential requisite to train the locals in both the use and maintenance of the facilities.

The agriculture ministry spokesperson, Margaret Kalo, said their ministry in conjunction with the prime minister's office, drilled a total of 104 boreholes: 25 in Zambezi, 14 in Kavango East, 17 in Kavango West, 16 in Ohangwena, 21 in Kunene and 11 in Omaheke because the condition of the funding agreement was for the installation of boreholes only, and not for the drilling of boreholes.

“Work has commenced at two borehole sites close to Rundu, namely at Kahururu, where civil works and concrete slabs for the tank stands and a trough for animals is already completed; and at Ncamahoro, where the construction of concrete slabs for the tank stands and the trough for animals is under way. Now that a start has been made, the whole programme will gain momentum and be able to accelerate meaningfully,” said Bitzer.

“In short response to your questions, it is hopefully clear that South Africa has undertaken this drought relief programme in great earnest and with a desire to address the needs identified by the Namibian side itself, as best we are able within our means - in a spirit of warm neighbourliness. South Africa has herself been experiencing severe drought conditions and we also see this endeavour in its regional context. If this has proven to be somewhat time-consuming, that has primarily been because South Africa wanted to take on board all those needs identified by Namibia. This necessitates on-going consultations and site visits which still continue and problem-solving as these arise.”

He said the first N$50 million was delivered in 2015 while the second N$50 million, covering provisions in the water, health and agricultural sectors to drought-stricken communities, is yet to be completed.



ILENI NANDJATO