COGTA UNVEILS WATER TESTING LAB

By Masilo Malakwane

KESTELL – Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thembeni Nxangisa officially unveiled a R16-million water quality testing lab at Tlhorong in Kestell on Friday. The facility was also named after the late Kgosatsana Manapo Mopeli.

The renaming follows a proclamation by the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, made in the local media that from August 05, the water quality testing lab will be called Kgosatsana Manapo Mopeli.

The event was also attended by Paramount Chief of Bakoena Morena Moremoholo Mopeli who is the late princess’s brother, and his mother Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli.

Speaking at the event, Nxangisa disclosed that the initiative was first planned in 2016. “This lab will address challenges of water quality within the district and reduce the long turnaround timeframe of results currently being done by Bloemfontein in University of the Free State.”

Nxangisa also expressed concern over the scarce and deteriorating water infrastructure.

“This new water testing laboratory will enable speedy sampling and also ensure that all water quality challenges experienced in Thabo Mofutsanyana district are monitored closely and rectified on time”.

In addition to the lab, a monument was unveiled that was erected in honour of three people who perished during the 2020 Qwaqwa water crisis   William Motaung (36), Thato Mokgatla (27) and Mosa Mbele (8).

Nxangisa was accompanied by the executive mayor of Thabo Mofuntsanyana district municipality Malefu Vilakazi, Maluti-A-Phofung local municipality executive Mayor Masetjhaba Lakaje-Mosia and the Royal Family of the -Kgosatsana Manapo Mopeli.

Lakaje-Mosia pointed out that the government will ensure that first preference will be given to members of the three families that were badly affected by the water crisis when employing personnel.

The late Mosa Mbele’s grandmother Mmasanna Mbele told The Guard that the family is comforted by the government’s good deeds in memory of her grandchild

“She really was the most loving grand-daughter any grandparent could wish for. My daughter will be much relieved now, knowing that Mosa’s name will live forever; even though it won’t bring her back, we hope to heal with time,” Mbele said.