Limpopo – Residents of several rural communities in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province have been offered relief with the opening of six boreholes by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA).

The boreholes form part of the company’s Coke Ville programme, an off-grid, solar-powered groundwater harvesting and treatment project to support distressed communities in water-scarce or drought-stricken communities across South Africa.

The company marked the delivery of the Coke Ville systems, worth over R3 million, at a ceremony at Mantjana/Sephaphose Village in Mankweng, Polokwane, on Thursday 12 October. The project roll-out is in partnership with the National Department of Water and Sanitation, the Polokwane Municipality, local tribal authorities, and communities.

In total, CCBSA installed:

• 2 at Mankweng Village (1 in Mantjana/Sephaphose Village and 1 in Makanye Village)
• 2 in Moletji (1 in King Solly Park Village and 1 in Magodu)

According to Nozicelo Ngcobo, Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at CCBSA, the newly installed Coke Ville systems have the capacity to deliver 13,8 million (4,6 million each) litres of drinkable water per year, or around 37 808 litres per day.

The Coke Ville systems are able to pump, treat, store, and distribute clean water to communities in need and operate at no cost to the residents of the communities in which they are located.

The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr David Mahlobo encouraged residents to focus on behavioural change to help preserve precious water resources within their respective communities.

“Part of the solution is to be more responsible with how we use water so that it is kept for essential purposes such as hydration, food preparation and washing and cleaning.”

Since the inception of the borehole groundwater harvesting programme in 2020, to date over 300 million litres of water has been distributed in the Limpopo Province alone CCBSA installed a total of 12 Coke Ville systems in Tshikota, in Makhado or Louis Trichardt (Vhembe District), Makhushaneng, Lebowakgomo, Ga-Mokgopo and Ga-Ramoshwane.

Polokwane Municipality Water and Sanitation portfolio chairperson Cllr. Motlogeleng Moakamedi said: “The municipality appreciates the continued support of CCBSA as one of our strategic corporate partners to assist with provision of clean and safe drinking water for household use. We also call on our communities and other consumers to preserve water and assist to control the demand which is always higher than the supply.”

Moakamedi added: “Reliable access to good, safe water is essential to life, nature, and the health of our communities. This project is an indication that working together with the corporate sector we can overcome challenges experienced by our communities.”

Ngcobo said the deployment of the Coke Villes is part of the company’s commitment to the wellbeing of communities and sustainability of precious water resources.

She said there has been a major focus on deploying Coke Ville projects in peri-urban and rural communities to help build more resilient communities.

CCBSA has installed Coke Villes in Limpopo, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, particularly in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area which in recent years has faced a devastating drought.

To date, CCBSA has distributed over 658 million litres of water to over 35,000 households throughout the country.

“We look to join hands with all spheres of government, other key stakeholders, and the communities themselves, to see how we can support and help build capacity through partnerships,” Ngcobo added.

Each Coke Ville comes complete with tank stand, storage tanks, lockable manhole for pump, alarm system for security, palisade fencing around tank stand and solar panels with lockable gate. The taps are located outside the system to allow communities to fetch water at their convenience.

“As a company that uses water as one of its key ingredients, we are very conscious of the importance of preserving water for future generations, as we operate in a water scarce country that’s also prone to droughts,” Ngcobo added.

Globally, The Coca-Cola Company’s Water Stewardship Strategy 2030, is a three-pronged strategy to water, which is focused on regenerative operations, healthy watersheds, and ultimately supporting resilient communities.

“At CCBSA, we aim to be part of the solution to achieve positive change in the world and to build a more sustainable future for our planet,” Ngcobo concluded.

*Update* On December 2, 2024, The Coca-Cola Company announced updated voluntary environmental goals. Read more here: The Coca-Cola Company Evolves Voluntary Environmental Goals