TSOLO, Eastern Cape — After years of severe water scarcity, residents of Mbutho Village in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, have finally secured reliable access to clean drinking water. A newly drilled borehole, established through a strategic partnership between the Mxolisi Hoboyi Foundation and the government, marks a transformative milestone for the community as part of ongoing Mandela Month celebrations.
For years, villagers were forced to fetch water from local dams, often sharing the compromised sources with livestock. The new underground water sourcing project aims to permanently resolve this crisis. However, community leaders and project organizers emphasize that the long-term sustainability of the infrastructure will require ongoing local stewardship.
Mxolisi Hoboyi, representing the Mxolisi Hoboyi Foundation, highlighted the legal and moral imperatives behind the initiative. He underscored that Section 27 of the Constitution guarantees every individual the right to clean, portable water, framing it as both a universal human right and a fundamental responsibility of every local authority.
While acknowledging that sourcing underground water is a complex endeavor, Hoboyi noted that the government’s partnership with the private sector directly benefits vulnerable populations. He concluded with a passionate appeal to business leaders and successful individuals originating from the Eastern Cape to return home and reinvest in their communities, specifically urging them to assist the “poor of the poorest.”
For the residents of Mbutho Village, the borehole is described as a dream come true. Community members expressed profound gratitude to Hoboyi and his foundation, offering prayers for his continued protection and blessing. However, they also issued a firm warning to local vandals and criminals, declaring the water project a vital community “lifesaver” that must remain untouched and protected at all costs.
Government representatives have publicly applauded the Mxolisi Hoboyi Foundation’s impactful contribution to changing lives. Officials stated that the initiative honors both the local community and the legacy of Nelson Mandela, emphasizing the critical need to mobilize additional resources to support similarly underserved areas across the region.
