A Closer Look at BESG’s Work in Kwa-Nonzila.
Situated along the uMgeni river and in close vicinity of Nagle dam, Kwa Nonzila is a rural village under the Maphumulo Tribal authority, within the jurisdiction of Ward 2 of Mkhambathini Municipality. The village lies below Kwa Zulu Natal’s own Table Mountain that boasts with attractions such as a Game Reserve, Nagle Dam, uMgeni river, and nature trails.
In recognition of National Water Week, we turn the spotlight to Nonzila village, one of BESG’s partner communities with whom we have had long term partnership in the struggle for access to basic water provision. BESG, together with the community has in the past assessed the inadequacy of water supply to homesteads, made IDP submissions to relevant Water Services Authority, liaised with Local Authorities, monitored water supply by mobile tankers, trained local community volunteers with the aim to improve water supply to the community that faces day-to-day water challenges. However, service providers have been reported to have slacked on their promise and that has had adverse effects on the people’s standard of living.
The National Water Week’s theme for 2023 is “Accelerating Change” which seeks to include the participation of various stakeholders in informing policy change and decision making, improvement in water resources management, as well as improved water supply. As part of Water Week, BESG held a Water Security workshop, on 23 March 2023, with the community representatives of Kwa Nonzila, to deepen the ongoing awareness raising, capacity enhancement in water conservation and efficient use was discussed.
BESG will continue to support the community in its advocacy endeavors to engage the authorities for an accelerated long-term solution. Through its various programme initiatives, the organization remains committed to assisting the community to develop its agency to hold accountable the various agencies, remedy the reported water shortages, infrequency of water delivery tankers, increase number of water storage tanks, and partner with the community in crafting solutions that address current and long-term challenges.
