Bergnek Community Report – 26 Nov 2016

The people of Bergnek are dignified people, who despite their hardship greet you with a smile, go about their daily business, share with visitors what little they have and expressed the willingness to learn and participate in developing their community.

Two weeks ago, on my second trip we implemented a demographic study throughout the Bergnek Community to provide critical information for decision making regarding the people, their living conditions etc. to determine what the water supply needs will be. After receiving the result back within a day and a half we were left with a further two weeks of work to determine who stayed where, as many stand number were duplicated as a result of random numbering and many people not knowing what their stand number were. The upside was that I had many visits to the homes of people to verify result and ensure the accuracy of the survey. During the next week or two I will be capturing the data collected and report on the results of the Demographic Survey.

Throughout this time I was assisted by Rainet Katedji who led the Survey Team and accompanied me many times on my repeat visits around the community to translate and verify the accuracy of the survey.

On Friday 11 November in the afternoon, upon returning from surveying the community, Abram Baloyi, Ward Councilor for the region was awaiting my return. He insisted on stopping the survey, but after a lengthy discussion agreed that we should presume. In subsequent meetings he has expressed his support for what we are doing and has been very willing to assist in whichever way he can, also offering to assist in resolving the current challenge of providing the community with water.

The importance of the survey is to determine the capacity of the water supply in relation to the growing needs of the community for not only water to survive but also to thrive. As building, infrastructure and economic development are equally dependent on the results of the survey in relation to the water availability.

In Bergnek people only receive water once per week on Saturday, thanks to the efforts of Warren CEO of MyArmsWideOpen. After my first two Saturdays in the community, more than 90% of the water containers remained empty. After some intervention to repair a pump, on the third Saturday pictured right the valves were opened at 6 a.m. and about 80% of the containers were successfully filled before the storage tanks ran empty. The filling was done by a handful of people at each water point and collected by community homeowners, who have their respective containers marked for identification. These are sequentially filled and those that remain empty are moved to the front of the cue for the following week.

During further analysis of available resources at this time community member Piet Nchabaleng from SMCPA (Shamane Magashula Community Property Association) was very helpful in providing details of all government owned farms that have been made available to the tribal and rural communities, including Bergnek for economic development. Piet Pretorius was kind enough to drive Piet Nchabaleng and myself around given my time restrictions, to look at some of the farms for analysis to see how they may be used for further economic development in the region. (More to be included in a later report on economic development and job creation in the region.)

I have also visited a farm 2km from Bergnek and am negotiating with the owner to purchase it for the Bergnek community as it has sufficient water capacity to resolve the water crises. This farm has numerous boreholes with large enough subterranean aquifers to supply each home with 8 gallons of water daily and sufficient water for agriculture. These boreholes have been fully tested and used over a period spanning 60 years with a deliver capacity of 35000 and 25000 liters respectively per hour, although moderation will be needed to ensure their ongoing daily supply. They will however be able to fill the 120 000 liter capacity of the storage tanks on a daily basis or at worst every second day.

The funding is still under negotiation with government as a meeting is being arranged for me by Councilor Abram Baloyi to discuss the solution with the regional Executive Mayor and/or private funders may have to be found to expedite the purchase. This includes existing legislation prohibiting the pumping of water to neighboring farms or across adjacent farmlands; I am optimistic however that local legislation will be amended to resolve this dire social crisis through the Regional Executive Mayors Office.

The supply of water to the Bergnek community from this farm will enable Warren from MyArmsWideOpen in collaboration with EWB (Engineers Without Borders) who have been instrumental in getting water to the community, to continue with economic development projects and job creation requiring the supply of water.

Further concerns are the 10 new stands being sold to people monthly by the tribal headman, with no seemingly short or long-term development plan, resulting in even greater hardship amongst existing residents. This issue can only be addresses through the coordinated efforts of active members within the community, supported by the community themselves.

In a meeting with Maboya (Principle at Bergnek School), which caters for students from grade 1 – 12, he expressed great concern for the grade 12 school leavers who were unable to continue their higher education due to lack of funding. We discussed the possible advantage of free online University Education where student could get credits towards a degree with the view of receiving sponsorship once they have proven their ability to study further allowing them to enter University to complete their studies thereafter. This he is very interested in and after some consultation with Warren and the alliance partners, we could look at a project to setup a computer center where student can share computer time and further their education with the assistance of either government or corporate funding.

GirlStuff (Washable & reusable Menstrual Kits) setup by Warren and Keith and providing jobs to 7 people, is a very promising business to enable young schoolgirls to remain at school when their menstrual cycles start, without being ostracized by the boys. I’ve been working with the staff, Warren and Keith to develop systems of simplified administration now that the computer is in the community. Know that I understand the logistics and challenges faced, we will be developing systems of administration and monitoring to assist the team to improve and evaluate the results of their manufacturing efforts, while providing training on business ownership and running. They are a great team and with the support of Warren and Keith during the last few years will set a fine example to the rest of the community on sustainable business development.

For Solutions Providers wishing to participate in the community development program, please contact Warren Te Brugge (MyArmsWideOpen) or Keith Mosumane (Bergnek Community Projects Cooperative), details available on The Citizens media website at thecitizensmedia/bergnek .