Chronicle Editor
Nothando Zondo, Sunday News Reporter
MORE than 200 households are set to benefit from solar-powered boreholes in Insiza District in Matabeleland South Province as part of the Presidential Rural Borehole Drilling Scheme.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority-led Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, aimed at providing safe and clean water to communities in Zimbabwe, involves the installation of solar-powered boreholes equipped with water storage tanks and a one-hectare drip irrigation scheme.
Last month, Insiza District received three solarised boreholes in Montrose 7b, Montrose 1, and Gumbalo as part of the initiative.
Speaking to Sunday News on Wednesday, Insiza District Engineer Mthoniselwa Ndebele said the boreholes were of great assistance to the communities who were affected by the El-Nino conditions.
“The solarisation of the boreholes will bring about significant improvements in the livelihoods of the communities, particularly in the current El Nino-induced drought. With reduced time spent fetching water, community members will have more time for economic activities and family.
“The accompanying gardens will contribute to the nutrition of the communities, addressing concerns related to food security and nutrition exacerbated by the El Nino-induced drought and its impact on food security and health,” he said.
Eng Ndebele said the provision of water to the community will reduce gender-based violence cases as conflicts over water in families will be reduced.
He said the district now has 26 solarised boreholes which cover wards 1 to 19 with each of the boreholes servicing an average of 70 homesteads and at times more depending on the circumstances around the communities.
He said the schools’ boreholes cover between 200 and 700 pupils depending on the enrolment.
“The solarised boreholes are installed in educational institutions and various communities within Insiza District. Specifically, Insiza Primary School has one borehole, while wards 1 and 2 each having two boreholes. Other communities such as Maduna, Lufuse, and Knocknarah, among others, have one borehole each,” he explained.
He said in addition to the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, the rural district council has also undertaken borehole drilling initiatives using devolution funds.
Collaborative efforts with partners such as Welthungerhilfe (whh) and Lutheran Development Services have been instrumental in complementing the Government’s endeavours to provide safe water for the communities.
derick.khumalo