Building infrastructure to improve lives and strengthen the economy

Established in 2002, the Association has successfully built, operated and maintained bulk raw water infrastructure for over 20 years. The R25 billion (estimated capital expenditure) Olifants Management Model Programme (OMMP) is the Badirammogo (formerly Lebalelo) Water User Association’s flagship capital expenditure programme.

The OMMP is accelerating the development of bulk raw and potable water infrastructure in Limpopo through a 50:50 public-private collaboration between Commercial Members (mining, industrial users) and Institutional Members (Government, represented by the Department of Water and Sanitation [DWS]).

The OMMP’s infrastructure will supply targeted communities and commercial water users in Sekhukhune District Municipality and Mogalakwena Local Municipality, while optimising the utilisation of existing infrastructure and water supply from two dams (the De Hoop and Flag Boshielo Dams) in the Middle Olifants catchment. The OMMP will also enhance the water supply to the Polokwane Local Municipality, which faces a 30 Ml/day water shortage.

The OMMP Programme represents a synergistic, long-term social compact between Government and business

The OMMP is a collaboration between Commercial Members (mines, industrial water users) and Institutional Members (represented by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)) and is being funded on a 50:50 basis. Institutional interfacing and alignment between all the members has been key to maintaining the collaboration while moving the OMMP forward at a steady rate.

The hive understands the need for synergistic co-existence

There is synergy between nature and bees, and between bees themselves. It is this synergy, or collaboration, between the public and private sector that is a key principle of the OMMP. It is also why there is a bee and a hive represented in the OMMP logo.

OMMP Programme collaborators

African Rainbow Minerals

Anglo American Platinum

Assore (Dwars River)
Bushveld Minerals
Cheetah Chrome
Corridor Resources
Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS)
Fetakgomo Tubatse SEZ
Glencore-Merafe
Kadoma Investments
Implats (Marula)
Ivanplats
Modikwa Platinum Mine
Mogalakwena Local Municipality
Northam Platinum
Polokwane Local Municipality
Sekhukhune District Municipality
Sibanye-Stillwater
Sylvania Platinum
Tameng Mining & Exploration
Two Rivers Platinum
Vanadium Resources
Zijin Platinum

Shared responsibility for improved accountability

While the OMMP is housed within the Badirammogo Water User Association and is being implemented through the Association’s programme management structure, decision-making responsibilities between Institutional and Commercial Members are shared equally through collaborative structures that have been put into place to protect all stakeholders’ interests and enhance accountability. The structure is underpinned by a Charter in accordance with the principles of KingIV™ good governance.

Our governance and operating model structure

How is the OMM Programme being implemented?

The Olifants River Water Resources Development Project (ORWRDP) was conceptualised by DWS in the 1990’s to relieve pressure on the overallocated Flag Boshielo Dam and to supply water to Polokwane, Mokopane and Sekuruwe. To date Phases 1A, 2A and 2C have been built.

The OMMP is re-sequencing the construction of the remainder of the ORWRDP and expanding it to include potable water provision to meet revised water needs in the Middle Olifants Catchment Area and reduce capital infrastructure costs.

The OMMP will facilitate the supply of bulk water to Mokopane and Sekuruwe, primarily through the implementation of Phase 2B & 2B+. Additionally, it will enhance water supply to Polokwane by redirecting a portion of the Lebalelo Scheme’s existing water supply from Flag Boshielo Dam to De Hoop Dam as part of the incorporation of Phase 2C into the scheme, the construction of Phase 2D from Steelpoort to Mooihoek, the reversal of flow of the existing Association Scheme (Phase 2H) to Clapham and constructing a dedicated line, Phase 2F, to enable supply to Polokwane through Phase 2F+ (to be constructed by the Lepelle Northern Water Board) from the Olifantspoort weir, fed from both De Hoop and Flag Boshielo Dams.

Resourcing partnerships are being established to not only construct defined bulk raw water and potable water infrastructure, but to also ensure that the entire network is operated and maintained efficiently and effectively.

Key objectives

Water Security

Achieve water security through the accelerated delivery of the ORWRDP and the supply of potable and bulk raw water infrastructure to identified areas. Improve water service delivery by supporting Water Service Authorities.

Economic Growth

Provide water infrastructure essential to the industrialisation of the Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) to take advantage of mining commodity cycles.

Job Creation and Skills Development

Create approximately 42’000 local jobs through construction and system operations as well as mining developments. Develop skills in the water sector through construction, operational and SED activities.

Cost Savings and Operational Efficiency

Save costs by optimising available technical designs. Achieve operational efficiency by utilising existing dams and water infrastructure to their optimal efficiency levels and leveraging private sector contributions.

Shared CAPEX and cost-effective tariff

Share bulk and potable water infrastructure capital expenditure between all members to secure an integrated funding approach and share funding repayment risks. Establish a predictable, cost-effective water tariff to assist large-scale economic investment.

Socio-Economic Development

Accelerate socio-economic development (SED) in Limpopo Province through localisation of infrastructure and operational spend and the implementation of the OMMP Programme’s SED initiatives. Collaborate to further develop high impact socio-economic projects.

Sustainability

Comply with sustainability principles of the economy, society and the environment through the Association’s mandate to implement the OMMP Programme as well as manage and operate specified infrastructure. Contribute to changing behaviour related to water conservation and payment for services.

Model Pilot Programme

Demonstrate a public-private collaboration model that may be replicated across South Africa in a variety of sectors.

Social Harmony

Improve social harmony through the provisioning of potable water, job creation and socio-economic development.
OMMP progress

While the OMMP commenced when the Association signed the Heads of Terms for an OMM Framework Agreement with DWS in March 2022, it was officially launched by the former Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, on the 27 October 2022 at the Ga-Malekana Tribal Authority in Steelpoort, Limpopo. This was followed by the turning of the first sod at the Spitskop Pump Station in Steelpoort, which signalled the start of the construction of the OMMP.

Further engagements with the Minister culminated in an invitation to the Presidential Imbizo in Sekhukhune in which Government’s funding commitment to the OMMP was confirmed. Subsequent to this, it can be confirmed that the first payment of OMMP Stage 1 funding from Government has been received, together with confirmation of approval for the Stage 2 funding allocation. The Association continues to engage fruitfully with DWS.

Construction on Southern Extension 2 (SE2) Phase 1 commenced in October 2022 and reached practical completion in March 2024. SE2 Phase 1 was commissioned by the then Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, on 26 April 2024 at a ceremony at the new Spitskop Pump Station 2.

The OMMP’s technical study phase was concluded in October 2024 and approved at the Association’s Annual General Meeting in November 2024. This was followed by the publishing of the Full Business Case in November 2024.

The OMMP’s financial close and the commencement of the construction of Stage 1 (Phase 2B & 2B+) is expected in the third quarter of 2025.

Further updates on the OMMP are available in our Monthly Progress Bulletins, accessible on our News and Media page

The OMMP Programme aims to leverage infrastructure development to strengthen economic recovery across Limpopo

The OMMP Programme will unlock the strategic mineral and industrial potential in the specified regions and bring with it much-needed potable water, water security, significant job creation and socio-economic development.

Key numbers and projected impact

~200km of bulk raw water pipeline will be built.

~675km of bulk potable water pipeline will be built.

~140 communities will benefit from potable water to a yard connection (i.e. at the boundary of each stand), impacting about 390 000 people

~42 000 people will be impacted through direct, indirect and induced employment for the duration of the OMMP Programme

SED is at the very heart of the OMMP Programme

Infrastructure programmes such as the OMMP Programme cannot be completed without considering the socio-economic development (SED) impact on communities and the need for secondary economies to be established. That is why we are taking a holistic approach to SED and our programmes will focus on five key themes: Potable Water, Water Re-Use, Enterprise Development, Education and Connectivity, to develop skills, create jobs and change behaviour.

Shaping the future of our youth through our School Upgrade Programme

The School Upgrade Programme (SUP) is one of the OMMP’s key SED initiatives and is significant because it focuses on all five of the abovementioned SED themes at the same time. The SUP aims to equip selected primary and secondary schools in targeted communities in Limpopo with innovative, modular infrastructure according to each school’s needs. The SUP focuses on supporting selected schools with facilities and equipment, as well as equipping teachers and addressing indirect issues to allow pupils better opportunities to learn.

In parallel with the start of the OMMP’s construction phase, the SUP kicked off with a pilot project at Kwata Primary School in Ga-Phala, which was launched by the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr David Mahlobo, on 15 March 2023.

To date, a further 4 schools have been upgraded across the Sekhukhune District and Mogalakwena Local Municipalities.

For the latest updates on our SED initiatives, please visit our LinkedIn page or our latest newsletter, available in our news and media section

We aim to be a strategic role model for future water delivery

In addition to the implementation of the OMMP Programme, the Association is looking at more opportunities to collaborate with the highest levels of Government, the private sector and communities. We aim to demonstrate leadership in the water sector and, through the OMMP Programme, be a strategic role model for future water delivery that may be replicated across South Africa so that more people may receive the benefits of a consistent supply of water.

Get regular

progress updates

For the latest news on the Olifants Management Model Programme (OMMP), please see our latest Monthly Progress Bulletin or Newsletter in our News & Media webpage