Water relief reaches Cwebe as 100 Hippo Rollers handed over to families and farmers

A delivery of 100 Hippo Roller water tanks in Ward 20, Cwebe Village near Elliotdale, is bringing immediate relief to households that have long struggled with reliable access to water.

The handover, led by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with non-profit organisation Swim of Rivers and Mbhashe Local Municipality, is expected to reduce the burden of water collection while helping small-scale farmers keep their crops going.

For many families in this part of the Eastern Cape, water access is not just about drinking and washing. It directly affects food production, income, and daily survival. The new rolling tanks allow residents to transport larger amounts of water more easily, cutting down the time and physical strain—especially for women and children who often carry this responsibility.

Mbhashe Executive Mayor Dr Samkelo Janda said the intervention comes at a critical time, linking water access directly to food security and economic participation. He urged local farmers to continue using their land to support their households and contribute to the local economy.

Swim of Rivers chairperson Andrew Chin said the organisation’s goal is to invest in underserved communities in ways that create lasting change, highlighting how access to water can improve health and restore dignity.

Community members have welcomed the initiative, saying it will make daily life easier and allow for more consistent farming activity.

In rural parts of the Eastern Cape like Cwebe, unreliable water supply remains one of the biggest barriers to development. While this intervention does not solve long-term infrastructure challenges, it provides immediate, practical relief that could improve both household living conditions and local food production.

The broader impact will depend on whether similar programmes are expanded to other villages facing the same challenges. For now, families in Ward 20 are seeing a direct change in how they access one of life’s most basic needs.

We will update this story as more information becomes available on further rollouts or additional support to surrounding communities.