Water infrastructure project implemented by Kangra, a coal miner, has brought relief to over 120 households in Donkerhoek, emphasising the value of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable community development. On Wednesday, 01 July 2026, Kangra, together with various government departments, joined the community in celebration to mark the conclusion of phase two of the project.

This forms part of Kangra’s ongoing Social and Labour Plan (SLP), which includes the rollout of water infrastructure and complementary agricultural support initiatives across eight farms in the area. An SLP consists of community upliftment projects implemented over five years and overseen by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources.

The current phase builds on the successful rollout of the project’s first phase, which was completed in 2023 for households under the Yende Farmers Trust. During this phase, Kangra installed yard taps for 30 households. The handover also formed part of a broader package of social upliftment initiatives, including the refurbishment of a community hall and the construction of new homes for two families, implemented in partnership with the Yende Trust and the Mkhondo Local Municipality.

Kangra Engineering Manager, Mpumelelo Saliwa, remarked that such projects highlighted the company’s legal and moral obligation to effect positive change in people’s lives.  “This is a life-transforming breakthrough for the community of Donkerhoek and an indication of what we can achieve when we work together as the private sector and government,” said Saliwa.

The programme began with a walkabout site inspection and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Phumzile Mgcina, said the Donkerhoek projects demonstrate the purpose of Social and Labour Plans as a tool for driving sustainable development in mining communities. “The intention of Social and Labour Plans is to ensure that mining delivers a lasting developmental impact. Projects such as these create opportunities for communities to build sustainable livelihoods and ensure that the benefits of mining continue long after operations have ended,” she said.

Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, commended Kangra for delivering on its commitments and praised community leadership for embracing the opportunities created through the projects. “These initiatives show what can be achieved when mining companies, government and communities work together. Beyond improved services, residents have gained skills, employment opportunities and the foundation to establish sustainable enterprises that can support future generations,” he said.

Other speakers of the day included Chairperson of the Donkerhoek Development Committee, Melusi Yende, Mpumalanga MEC for Co-Operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Speed Mashilo, and MMC for Infrastructure and Technical Services at the Gert Sibande District Municipality, Cllr Phalaborwa Malatsi.

Life-Changing Impact

Nomgqibelo Hlophe, an elderly resident from Jagdrift, celebrated having a tap in her yard for the first time in her life. Hlophe now keeps a thriving vegetable garden in her backyard since having access to water. “I now drink clean water. I no longer drink water that has been dirtied by cows and horses,” Hlophe said.

Before taps were installed, residents walked long distances to collect water from local streams using buckets and wheelbarrows. The water was often contaminated by animals, creating health and hygiene concerns for the community. Another resident, Kantrina Dlamini, said doing everyday chores has become easier since having taps.

Beyond water access, Kangra has supported local agricultural development to unlock the community’s commercial farming potential. The Donkerhoek community has access to over 600 hectares of land, which had previously not been fully utilised due to limited access to equipment and challenges in realising commercial value through a cooperative representing all eight farms. Kangra has addressed this by providing a tractor with implements, including a boom sprayer and disc, enabling improved productivity.

In addition, a five-hectare garden project run through a separate cooperative had previously been unable to commercialise its operations due to non-compliance with South African Good Agricultural Practices (SAGAP) standards. To address this, Kangra constructed key infrastructure, including chemical storage facilities, packaging areas, ablution facilities, and fencing.

The second phase of the water project benefited households from three farms: Thuthukani, Jagdrift, and Witbank. This brings the total number of farms that have benefited from the project to four, following the first phase, which was launched for residents of Yende Farmers Trust in 2023.

The construction was facilitated by a local company and involved representatives from all eight farms, while 16 temporary employment opportunities were created. Kangra also partnered with the COGHSTA and the Community Work Programme to train community members in plumbing, bricklaying, and other skills. This training empowers residents to play a role in maintaining the infrastructure while increasing their chances of finding employment.

“We are happy that the company that worked on this project comes from us as the community, and we did the work ourselves,” said training beneficiary Lungile Mthethwa. Kangra intends to roll out the project to an additional four farms in future, extending its footprint to an estimated 270 households.

The Power of Public-Private Partnerships

The projects were successfully implemented in collaboration with key partners, including: Donkerhoek Community Representatives, The Mkhondo Local Municipality, The Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area, The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Community Work Programme (CWP) and COGHSTA.