RESIDENTS of Mzilikazi high-density suburb have taken matters into their own hands to secure access to water after solarising a borehole in the area, as Bulawayo’s long-standing water challenges persist.
Bulawayo deputy mayor and ward 8 councillor Edwin Ndlovu on Wednesday commissioned the Thokozani solarised borehole, which had been out of service for some time following the introduction of prepaid electricity, making it costly to operate.
The project was driven by the community, with residents contributing US$1 per household to fund the installation of eight solar panels, a meter box, angle iron bars for the panel structure and water taps.
Well-wishers, including Alderman Matson Nhlalo, Ndlovu and businessman Terry Hill, also contributed, while council provided technical support through plumbers and electricians.
The borehole will operate daily, with water access scheduled from 5:30am to 8pm.
In an interview, Ndlovu acknowledged the broader water challenges being faced by the city, saying authorities were working on long-term solutions.
“The city needs new water sources and we are expediting the creation of a water utility,” he said.
He added that while the local authority supported community initiatives, it did not have a dedicated borehole drilling programme.
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“As a city, we only support residents on boreholes, but we do not have a programme for boreholes. It is non-revenue water.”
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) chairperson ward 8 and ward development committee member Thandekile Moyo said the project was a response to the worsening water situation in Bulawayo.
“We contributed US$1 each as residents and we bought solar panels for the borehole,” she said.
Moyo described the initiative as a long-term solution in the face of erratic municipal water supply.
“It’s a long-term solution since there is no other solution.
“As you can see, we are crying for water in Bulawayo, there is no timetable for its return, so when we have solar, we don’t struggle.
“We fetch water for ourselves because water is life.”
Moyo urged residents across the city to engage the local authority and push for similar projects to cushion communities from water shortage.
“As Bulawayo residents, let’s engage council and our local leaders to push for these projects so that life becomes easy for residents.
“We cannot afford outbreaks like what happened in Luveve and suburbs like Pumula have gone for almost a month without water.”
To ensure fair access, the community has set up a management committee to regulate water collection.
“As a community we know each other. We selected a committee. Our borehole will be opened from 5am to 8pm,” Moyo said.
“We can allocate time slots, for example from 7am to 9am certain sections can come and collect water, then others from 10am to 12 midday.”
She said residents were forced to act due to lack of reliable solutions from the local authority.
“The situation forces us because there is no other means of getting the precious liquid.
“The city council is always giving us false hope.
“There is no plan except to do it ourselves as residents.”
