Communities around the Jozini Dam in north-east KwaZulu-Natal will soon drink water from the dam for the first time since it was constructed more than 40 years ago.

“For many years, the gigantic dam has symbolised nothing for the poor rural communities in the uMkhanyakude district other than majestic views,” the province's co-operative governance department spokesman Lennox Mabaso said in a statement on Thursday.


The first of the three water reticulation schemes would be unveiled in the kwaJobe Tribal Authority in Jozini on Friday. It would benefit at least 8000 rural families.

The Jozini Dam, South Africa's third largest, was constructed in 1970.

“For decades the community of uMkhanyakude has not benefited from the dam. This is a serious disservice, which is why we are funding this project,” Mabaso said.

“The agony of having to live on the banks of a huge dam but without being able to access the precious liquid inside will come to an end.”