Parched communities in the border towns of Lomahasha, Eswatini, and Namaacha, Mozambique, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. A collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Eswatini and Mozambican governments, promises to quench their thirst with the launch of a €16 million cross-border drinking water supply project.
“This joint effort by all the partners is all the more important as the border towns…have been facing a water shortage due to the effects of climate change, forcing the population to draw water 34km from the Mbuluzi river they share,” says the Southern African Development Community (SADC) [SADC Water Fund website].
The project, a beacon of regional cooperation, was inaugurated on June 6, 2024. Jabulile Mashwama, Managing Director of the Eswatini Water Services Corporation, joined hands with Chuene Ramphele, a representative of the Mozambican Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation, to mark this momentous occasion. Witnessed by Michael Feiner, Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy in Mozambique, and the Executive Secretary of the SADC Water Fund, the ceremony solidified a commitment to a shared future.
Mbuluzi River to the Rescue
The lifeblood of the project is the mighty Mbuluzi River, which snakes its way from the Eswatini mountains down to Mozambique. “This magnificent river, rising 1,600 meters above sea level and draining an area of nearly 3,000 square kilometres, will be harnessed through new infrastructure,” explains a SADC representative.
Crystal-clear water from the Mbuluzi will be pumped through strategically placed stations and stored in designated reservoirs. Once treated at a dedicated water treatment plant, it will finally flow to bulk water distribution points, quenching the thirst of an estimated 40,000 people.
Beyond Borders, Building Together
The LoNa project signifies more than just access to clean drinking water. It underscores the power of regional collaboration in tackling shared challenges. “This is the second cross-border piped water supply project under the SADC Water Fund,” says the organization. This initiative, financially bolstered by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and backed by German development cooperation through KfW, embodies the spirit of SADC’s vision: “a secure water future for a resilient, peaceful and prosperous sub-region.”
The project paves the way for a brighter future, not just for Lomahasha and Namaacha, but for the entire SADC region. By working together, these countries are not only combating drought but also fostering economic development and regional integration, one water droplet at a time.
