By Jacobs Botha,
The South African government has secured R8.5 billion to launch the first phase of the Olifants Management Model (OMM), a major water infrastructure programme designed to strengthen water supply and support economic activity in northern South Africa.
The programme is being implemented by the Badirammogo Water User Association (BWUA), a 50:50 public-private partnership between the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and commercial water users. The funding milestone marks commercial close for Stage 1, clearing the way for construction to begin.
The project will construct bulk raw water pipelines, pump stations, water treatment works, and an associated energy solution. It targets areas including the Sekhukhune District and the Mogalakwena and Polokwane local municipalities, regions that have faced increasing pressure on water resources.
Once fully implemented, the OMM programme is expected to deliver approximately 263 million cubic metres of water per day by 2050 to commercial and institutional users. It will also extend potable water to about 140 communities, benefiting roughly 390,000 people, while supplying raw water to key mining and industrial operations in the province.
The initiative is projected to create an estimated 42,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, contributing to regional economic development. Officials say the programme will play a crucial role in addressing water shortages, supporting livelihoods, and ensuring sustainable water management in northern South Africa.
Limpopo borders Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, making its water security crucial not only for South Africa but also for cross-border trade and regional development in Southern Africa.
