RANYANE: It is now a week since the people of Ranyane settlement, southwest of Ghanzi, have been without water. A borehole that has been supplying the residents of this area --- who are predominantly Basarwa --- with water experienced mechanical faults last week Thursday. According to Basarwa who live here, they have reported the issue to the Ghanzi District Council (GDC) through their area councillor Meta Kodie but there has been no respite.
According to a village elder, Heebe Karakubis, they now have to trek about 36 kilometres to source water in Metsimantsho. "It is a matter of time before we and our cattle all die due to thirst," said the 57-year-old Karakubis. Karakubis is married to the area headman of arbitration Xharake Phuthi, who was not available on Tuesday when the Mmegi team visited Ranyane. She alleged that the GDC apparently told Kodie that they did not have water bousers to supply the marginalised people of Ranyane with water. On a daily basis, according to MmaKgosi as Karakubis is affectionally called by other residents, they have to herd their cattle to Metsimantsho for watering. Thanks to a Good Samaritan, a certain Mr Tase who owns a farm in Metsimantsho, Ranyane residents have been able to obtain water from his farm borehole. As if this is not enough the government also discontinued the Ipelegeng programme in the area in early July, according to another resident, Kwere Khumo."There are no jobs here. We relied on Ipelegeng for sustenance but the government thought otherwise," Kwere said.
