Premier Ramathuba speaks at Hi Nwa Mati event in Tzaneen

Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba recently visited Gamasona Village in the Greater Letaba Municipality, Mopani District, to check on the progress of the #HiNwaMatiFridays campaign. This initiative, launched in late 2024, is all about making sure every home and school in the province gets clean, drinkable water. The Premier shared that significant strides have been made, including the repair of 223 boreholes and impressive progress in connecting villages to bulk water supplies, particularly in Greater Giyani. However, she also highlighted the ongoing challenge of drought and urged all residents to play their part in conserving water and reporting broken infrastructure to ensure this vital resource is protected for everyone.

Key details from the session

• Event: Hi Nwa Mati Friday Community Engagement Session
• Date: 09 October 2025
• Location: Gamasona Village, Greater Letaba Municipality, Mopani District
• Key people and their roles:
  • Dr Phophi Ramathuba: Premier of Limpopo Province
  • Cllr M. Maswanganyi: Speaker of Mopani District Municipality
  • Cllr Pule Shayi: Executive Mayor of Mopani District Municipality
  • Cllr Gerson Molapisane: Mayor of Greater Letaba Municipality
  • Kgoshi Sebela: Leader of the Bakgaga Ba Maake Traditional Council
  • Representatives of Nkuna Traditional Council
  • Councillors and faith-based leaders
• Institutions involved:
  • Limpopo Provincial Government
  • Mopani District Municipality
  • Greater Letaba Municipality
  • Greater Giyani Municipality
  • Bakgaga Ba Maake Traditional Council
  • Nkuna Traditional Council
• Main campaign: #HiNwaMatiFridays, with an offshoot programme called Operation Fix All.

A detailed account of the Premier’s speech

During her visit to Gamasona Village, Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba expressed her delight at returning to Mopani District, where the #HiNwaMatiFridays campaign was first launched in late 2024. She noted that the work being done by the Mopani District Municipality to practically implement this campaign, which involves opening new and old taps weekly, made her monitoring visit a truly satisfying experience, confirming that progress is indeed being made.

The Premier explained that the #HiNwaMatiFridays programme stems from a strong commitment to directly address the ongoing water shortages that deeply affect communities. When the campaign was initiated, a serious pledge was made: no village, no household, and no school should be left without access to clean, safe drinking water. Her presence in Greater Letaba Municipality that day served to reinforce this promise, emphasising that it’s not a one-time event but a continuous effort of checking progress, being accountable, and delivering on commitments. The goal is to ensure that every promise made leads to real, noticeable improvements in people’s daily lives.

Dr Ramathuba took the opportunity to praise the Mopani District Municipality, particularly under the guidance of Executive Mayor Cllr Pule Shayi, for their steadfast dedication to resolving water problems throughout the district. She acknowledged that their daily efforts through initiatives like Operation Fix All, which is part of the #HiNwaMatiCampaign, are bringing back hope and dignity to countless residents who have struggled for many years without reliable water.

The speech highlighted significant achievements as a result of this teamwork and focused leadership. As of early October 2025, an impressive 223 boreholes have been fixed across Mopani District, with 55 of these repairs specifically benefiting the Greater Letaba Municipality. These numbers, the Premier stressed, are more than just statistics; they represent mothers who no longer have to wake up at 3 a.m. to fetch water, children who can now attend school clean and on time, and clinics that can function effectively because they finally have a consistent water supply.

Further progress was noted in Greater Giyani Municipality, where 23 out of 24 villages connected to the bulk water supply project are now almost finished, showing an excellent 97.6% completion rate. These achievements serve as a reminder that while difficulties remain, the work to improve water access is steadily advancing.

Despite the positive strides, the Premier frankly addressed the severe impact of drought on Mopani District, noting that eight of the nine main dams are currently operating at less than 50% capacity. This stark reality underscores the critical need for responsible water use, investment in robust infrastructure, and sustainable water management practices.

The Premier made a direct appeal to all residents to do their part by conserving water, fixing any leaks they find, and using this precious resource wisely. She reassured the public that the Limpopo Provincial Government remains committed to supporting all municipalities across the province. This support includes offering technical help, mobilising necessary resources, and closely monitoring projects to guarantee that every borehole drilled, every pipeline laid, and every water treatment plant built contributes to reliable and sustainable water access for all.

Emphasising the profound importance of water, Dr Ramathuba declared that “water is life” and forms the bedrock of health, agriculture, industry, and human dignity. She stressed that their mission is urgent and non-negotiable, stating that “Hi Nwa Mati” is not just a slogan but a declaration of life, progress, and a commitment to justice for the people.

In the spirit of shared responsibility, she called upon councillors, traditional leaders, ward committees, and all community members to continue working hand-in-hand with the government. She urged everyone to promptly report any broken infrastructure and to actively guard against vandalism, thereby protecting this invaluable resource for current and future generations.

Concluding her speech, the Premier reaffirmed the ongoing nature of the #HiNwaMatiFridays monitoring visits and called for a renewed collective determination to bring about lasting change. She acknowledged that the journey is far from over but expressed confidence that through the continued hard work of municipalities, the leadership of Mayor Shayi and his team, and the active involvement of communities, the water challenges facing Mopani and the wider province will ultimately be overcome. She ended with a powerful call to action: “Together, let us keep the taps running for our people, for our dignity and for our future.”

For more Premier’s Office news, you can visit this link.

Questions and answers for the community

• What is the #HiNwaMatiFridays campaign about?
  The #HiNwaMatiFridays campaign is an initiative by the Limpopo Provincial Government to ensure that every village, household, and school in the Mopani District has access to clean, drinkable water. It focuses on addressing persistent water challenges and improving water access.
• When was this campaign launched?
  The #HiNwaMatiFridays campaign was launched in late 2024.
• What specific progress has been made with boreholes?
  As of October 2025, 223 boreholes have been repaired across the Mopani District, with 55 of these being in the Greater Letaba Municipality. This means many communities now have restored water access.
• How is Greater Giyani Municipality benefiting from water projects?
  In Greater Giyani Municipality, 23 out of 24 villages connected to the bulk water supply project are now practically complete, showing an impressive 97.6% progress rate.
• Are there still water challenges despite the progress?
  Yes, despite the significant progress, Mopani District is still facing severe drought conditions. Eight of the nine main dams are currently below 50% capacity, highlighting the ongoing need for responsible water management.
• How can residents help with the water situation?
  Residents are encouraged to conserve water, fix any leaks in their homes or communities, use water wisely, report broken infrastructure quickly, and guard against vandalism to protect this vital resource.
• What is the government doing to support municipalities in addressing water challenges?
  The Limpopo Provincial Government continues to provide technical assistance, mobilise resources, and monitor the implementation of water projects to ensure sustainable access for all residents.
• Why does the Premier consider water so important?
  The Premier emphasised that “water is life” because it is the fundamental basis for good health, productive agriculture, thriving industry, and human dignity. Without reliable water, these essential aspects of life suffer.
• What should the community do if they see broken water infrastructure?
  Community members, including councillors, traditional leaders, and ward committees, are urged to report broken infrastructure quickly to their local municipality or relevant authorities. Prompt reporting helps prevent further water loss and ensures quicker repairs.
• What is Operation Fix All?
  Operation Fix All is a programme that came out of the #HiNwaMatiCampaign, aimed at fixing various water-related issues and restoring reliable water access to residents across the district.
• How can I find out more about the Premier’s Office news and activities?
  You can find more news and updates from the Premier’s Office by visiting resources like this link for Premier’s Office News.
• What is the long-term vision for water access in Limpopo?
  The long-term vision is to achieve lasting change and overcome water challenges across Mopani and the entire province. This will be accomplished through continuous hard work from municipalities, strong leadership, and active community participation to ensure sustainable access to water for current and future generations.