8 July 2003

President Thabo Mbeki joined thousands of people at the Mqhawe Stadium in Umzinyathi, north of Durban on Sunday in celebrating the nine-millionth receiver of a safe water connection since 1994.

The R27-million project in Umzinyathi was spearheaded by the department of water affairs and forestry in collaboration with eThekwini Municipality to provide 2 000 households with clean water and sanitation.

The 36 000 people will also be entitled to 6 000 litres of free water every month.

Addressing the large gathering, Mbeki said the milestone was achieved through a labour-intensive programme that generated about 2 000 jobs for the people in the area, while at the same time giving them new skills.

"The development of the small businesses, brick and block yards for the sanitation project, and transfer of skills and experience, are an investment in our people", Mbeki said, urging the community to protect the system of purification works, pumps, pipes, metres and tap connections from vandalism.

Mbeki said that since 1994, the department of water affairs and forestry had since initiated 2 500 such projects across the country, to the value of nearly R10-billion.

Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Ronnie Kasrils said his department aimed to provide all South Africans with access to safe water by 2008.

Source: BuaNews