TİKA Provides a Sustainable Water Solution in South Africa

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has successfully completed a water system project in Mvezo, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The project provides a long-term solution to the community’s critical need for clean and safe drinking water.

Mvezo, globally recognized as the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, has faced severe water shortages for years. Relying on the Mbhashe River, a shared water source for both domestic use and livestock, residents were exposed to serious health risks. Many had to walk more than two kilometers daily to fetch water, while others endured the high financial costs of water deliveries. The lack of reliable access to clean water has not only affected public health but has also hindered socio-economic development in the region.

To address this challenge, TİKA carried out a comprehensive upgrade of Mvezo’s deteriorating water distribution system. As part of the project, a borehole was fully equipped, enabling it to produce 259,200 liters of clean water in just 12 hours— more than double the daily demand of 130,000 liters, ensuring both current and future water needs are met. The water distribution network was also modernized with the installation of new pipes, valves, and fittings, while damaged infrastructure was replaced. Additionally, new water taps were strategically positioned to enhance accessibility, and rigorous water quality testing was conducted to ensure the supply meets all health and safety standards for consumption.

This enhanced water system marks a transformation for the people of Mvezo. It eliminates reliance on the Mbhashe River, greatly reduces the risk of waterborne diseases, and eases the time-consuming and physically demanding task of fetching water.

The project was officially inaugurated at a ceremony attended by distinguished guests, including Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela of the Mandela Royal House, a TİKA representative, Türkiye’s Ambassador to South Africa Nilvana Darama Yıldırımgeç and local leaders.

Chief Zwelivelile Mandela expressed his deep gratitude to TİKA, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the people of Türkiye for their support. He commended Türkiye’s development approach, which prioritizes mutual respect and sustainability, and emphasized the sacred nature of water as an essential resource for health, dignity, and development. Mandela also urged the community to cherish and safeguard the new water system, ensuring its benefits for future generations.

Ambassador Nilvana Darama Yıldırımgeç expressed her gratitude to Chief Zwelivelile Mandela, the Mvezo Traditional Council, and TİKA, commending their joint efforts in making the project a success. She highlighted the broader global water crisis, emphasizing that billions of people worldwide still lack access to clean water, which makes this initiative in Mvezo—honoring President Mandela’s legacy—even more significant. Ambassador Yıldırımgeç also urged the community to preserve and maintain the water system, ensuring its sustainability for future generations.

“It is a tremendous honor for TİKA to contribute to the well-being of the people of Mvezo and to uphold the legacy of President Mandela,” said the TİKA representative, emphasizing that access to water is a fundamental human right.

This project exemplifies TİKA’s commitment to sustainable development and international cooperation. Providing Mvezo residents with reliable access to clean water, the project not only enhances their quality of life but also pays tribute to Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy.