Tunatazama - Community Monitors

Water injustice to the community of Motlhabe.

Community Alerts/Lentswe Buda/Motlhabe-Rustenburg/25/07/18

THIS IS A SHORT REPORT OF A STORY I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW.

Motlhabe is a 86 years old community which was removed from its indigenous area and it has been a mine hosting village for 10 years now and from the year 1932 the community still does not have proper access to clean water.

A reservoir was built on the village by Pilanesberg Platinum Mine. late 2016 the mine started installing pipelines crossing in Motlhabe and other neighboring villages to a faraway village named Mabieskraal. Not providing Motlhabe. This does not sit well to the hearts of the residents of Motlhabe because we are the doorstep and we are the most affected ones from the Pilanesberg Platinum Mine activities.

Many have tried to fight for the community developments most especially clean water, unfortunately, due to reasons such as lack of support within the community,  finance issues, lack of knowledge and not being fully committed they lost faith and withdrawn their attention. Just not everyone lost faith and not everyone will.

Comrade Thulani Kunene who has always been an active member of the community of Motlhabe who was appointed as the APC councilor in Motlhabe has also been following this issue, with Goitsimang Gaborone as his right hand. They sent letters and emails to the MKLM but as usual, he was no luck. But with help of Mr. Benjamin Nkge from Mogwase who is based on Bakgatla’s water affairs, a short research was made and communication with the Magalies water representatives also took place.

A conclusion was made that within a period of 3 months a pipeline installation progress will start.  To provide the community of Motlhabe.  We are now expecting a visitor from MKLM who is the head of water affairs. Her name is “Lerato”.

By  Lentswe Buda.