Repairing broken water pipelines in The Mandlakazi region, South Africa.

The Problem

The Mandlakazi region, located in northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, is home to 98 households. Unfortunately, many residents lack access to education and basic services, with only 14% having completed formal schooling. Additionally, there is no access to piped water inside homes or flush toilets connected to a sewage system.

The community is located near the Manyoni Private Game Reserve, which is managed by the Zululand Conservation Trust. Unfortunately, the area is facing environmental challenges such as soil erosion, invasive plants, and soil compaction, as well as the impact of a changing climate and a struggling wildlife economy.

Despite these challenges, four vegetable gardens in the community have been providing families with nutrition and income. However, two of the gardens are currently unable to produce food and provide hygiene access due to damaged pipes that carry water to them.

The Solution

The pipeline improvement project will recruit and coordinate skilled local labour in digging up the existing pipeline, laying a trench with river sand to protect the pipes, laying down new pipes, and connecting the water resources again. This will ensure that the gardens in the community can once again produce food, provide a source of income for families, and provide access to clean water.

This project is expected to benefit 96 people directly by ensuring that the gardens in the community can once again produce food, provide a source of income for families, and provide access to clean water.