More than 380 households in Tswera Village near Thohoyandou now have access to clean, reliable water thanks to a newly completed borehole project. The initiative, spearheaded by nonprofit organization Innovation Africa SA, ends years of hardship for residents who were forced to share a natural stream with animals, including baboons and livestock.
A Long-Awaited Solution
For years, the community struggled with severe water scarcity, relying on an unprotected river that posed health risks. Residents described the challenges of fetching contaminated water, often alongside animals, some of which died in the same water source.
“As residents, we are very grateful and happy because, truly speaking, the lack of water was really an inconvenience,” said one villager. “We were forced to share water with animals, and some even died in the river.”
Another resident expressed relief, stating, “We used to fetch water from far, but now that the water project is closer, it will be much better. This is a relief as we used to rely on river water where foreign materials were often discarded, posing health risks.”
Nonprofit Steps In
Innovation Africa SA identified Tswera Village as one of the most water-scarce communities in the Vhembe District. The organization recognized the urgent need after witnessing women collecting unsafe water from the same source as animals.
“When we got into this village, we realized there was a very big need for water,” a representative from Innovation Africa SA said. “The water they were collecting was not fit for human consumption because they were sharing it with animals.”
The newly constructed borehole ensures a safer, more sustainable water supply, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and easing the burden on women and children who previously walked long distances to fetch water.
Expanding Access to Water
This is not the first such project by Innovation Africa SA in the region. The organization has also implemented a similar initiative in Chumbbo Village near Thohoyandou, demonstrating its commitment to addressing water scarcity in underserved rural areas.
With the completion of the Tswera Village project, residents no longer have to endure weeks without municipal water supply. “Now we’ll be able to survive as we’ll have access to more water,” a grateful villager said.
The project marks a significant step toward improving living conditions and public health in the community, offering hope for a brighter, healthier future.
