Community celebrates access to clean drinking water

Community leaders and members of the Canyon Coal team during the handover of the water tank project in Argent, Mpumalanga.

The flow of clean water brought hope to the community of Argent in Mpumalanga following the handover of Jojo tanks through an initiative by Canyon Coal. Four tanks, with a capacity of 10 000 litres were installed as part of the project. Argent is one of the immediate host communities for Canyon Coal’s Phalanndwa mine operations. Other work done includes borehole rehabilitation, general plumbing and fencing of the control box amongst other things.

The initiative also helped to create 7 job opportunities during the duration of the project while a local company was contracted to do the work. Before the company’s intervention residents relied on one tank which had damaged infrastructure. They also used buckets to fetch water from a local stream. Due to the previously dilapidated infrastructure around the tank, the water used to overflow into the streets, explains another resident, Mpolozi Mpofu (64). Mpofu would have to wake up early every morning to go and check on the tank, and make sure that the water did not overflow. Veronica Mokoena (50) grew up in Argent said the lack of water had been an issue for many years. “It was hard for us but since the Jojo tanks were installed things have changed. We have enough water to cook, do our washing and other house chores,” says Mokoena.

Victor Khanye Local Municipality MMC for Infrastructure & Safety Tebogo Malomane said the project was a good example of how public-private partnerships can enhance community upliftment. The project was started in May 2022 after municipality identifi ed the need for drinking water for residents. “Companies like Canyon Coal are playing a key role in aiding government’s efforts to meaningfully uplift communities,” says Malomane.

Canyon Coal Social Licensing Manager Xolile Mankayi said the project formed part of an ongoing mission by the company to bring positive change to the communities where it has operations. “Today, the completion and handover of the project which was done with the help of local contractor Madlou Trading, has ensured the community has good quality and easily accessible water at all times. This is a marked improvement from the diffi culties the community faced previously,” says Mankayi.