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News - Date: 22 June 2012
Deep down in some parts of the remote rural area of Mutale, water has become a very scarce commodity.
Some villagers go for weeks without water, while others do not have water at all. The communities in these areas did not, however, just sit down and lament. They have come up with a bright new idea.
They are now cultivating clean water from old fountains that were abandoned after the advent of street taps. They are also planting trees, which will assist in the preservation of water.
Formed in 2010, the Mutale Rivers Fountains and Trees Protection Project, which comprises eight members, has so far revitalised eight springs, which are now the source of clean, natural water to the community. The leader of the group, Mr Khathutshelo Ratshikhopha, said the local communities were suffering as water was not always readily available in the area.
He said he was worried that trees that formed part of the natural resource were being chopped down being replaced. "We could not just sit and lament while our communities suffered, so we decided to do something that would improve our situation, and that was when the idea came into being.”
He said the community could not go thirsty while they had many sources of clean water which, if only they could be looked after, could provide water to the community throughout the year. “We have many rivers here which are rich in natural springs. In the past, they provided our forefathers with clean water, even before the advent of taps in the area. If we can all go out and clean those springs, the problem of water will be history in our communities. We will have clean drinking water throughout the year,” he said.
He added that some of the springs were now providing water to some communities which did not have any water and some which went for weeks without water. “We are soon to embark on a campaign to educate school children and our community about some of the old sources of water. We will teach them about their importance and the trees that grow around them,” he said.
Those wishing to support the project can do so by contacting the chairperson, Mr Khathutshelo Ratshikhopha, at 082 961 3736.
Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019. He currently writes on a freelance basis, covering human rights issues, court news and entertainment.
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