67 Projects for 67 Minutes: Mandela Day Brings Clean Water to 125,000 South Africans

South Africa marks Mandela Day 2026 with one of the most practical gifts a government can give: clean, safe drinking water. On Saturday, 18 July, the Department of Water and Sanitation launches 67 decentralised water supply projects across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, bringing reliable taps and standpipes to communities that have waited far too long for them.

The projects form the first phase of the department’s National Water Access Acceleration Programme, a national drive to fast-track water services to more than 2,600 unserved settlements across the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa are leading handover ceremonies in the three provinces.

Springs, boreholes and 42 kilometres of pipeline in KwaZulu-Natal

In KwaZulu-Natal, Deputy President Mashatile and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo are officially handing over 27 decentralised water supply schemes, headlined by the Babanango Community Water Supply Scheme and the Msinga Borehole Water Supply Intervention in the uMzinyathi District.

The Babanango project is a small marvel of engineering: protected natural springs, a borehole backup system and a 0.5-megalitre-per-day package water treatment plant, connected to approximately 42 kilometres of pipelines, reservoirs and communal standpipes. It delivers treated drinking water to communities including Ngwebeni, Enkanini, Nkonjane, Nhlengile and Nkangala, and created jobs and skills development opportunities during construction.

The Msinga intervention links nine borehole-based schemes serving remote rural communities, replacing unsafe water sources and the long daily walks many residents once made to collect water. Together, the two KwaZulu-Natal flagship projects are expected to improve water security for more than 8,000 residents.

Eastern Cape village project finished ahead of schedule

In the Eastern Cape, Minister Ramokgopa launches the Mncwasa Water Supply Scheme in the OR Tambo District. The R4.4 million project upgraded an existing groundwater system, rehabilitated pumping infrastructure, laid nearly seven kilometres of new reticulation pipelines and added communal standpipes for approximately 510 residents of Mncwasa and Mbhozisa villages.

Best of all, the department confirmed the project was completed ahead of schedule — proof that well-run local infrastructure delivery is alive and well.

125,000 people better off, with more phases to come

More than R200 million has been allocated to Phase One of the programme, which combines borehole drilling, groundwater development, spring protection, rainwater harvesting and the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. Altogether, the 67 groundwater interventions are expected to benefit an estimated 125,986 people across the three provinces.

And this is only the beginning: further implementation phases are planned for October 2026 and April 2027, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation via SAnews. For thousands of families, Mandela Day 2026 will be remembered as the day clean water finally arrived — a fitting tribute to Madiba’s call to serve.

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