{
  "id": 17547390,
  "title": "Why don’t we ask Modjadjies for rain, say residents amid long battle to get boreholes online",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/why-dont-we-ask-modjadjies-for-rain-say-residents-amid-long-battle-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T06:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/elections/why-dont-we-ask-modjadjies-for-rain-say-residents-amid-long-battle-to-get-boreholes-online/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Residents of a Limpopo municipality are frustrated as the local government struggles to provide water access to over 400 boreholes that were drilled in the past five years. These boreholes have been without electricity for more than seven years, leaving more than 1.1 million residents without a basic human need - clean water. The Mopani District Municipality has been working tirelessly with Eskom to energize these boreholes in hopes of restoring water access to affected communities. However, the task is far from over, with over 400 boreholes still in need of electrification. Community activists and residents have expressed hope that the situation will improve, but there are also concerns about the effectiveness of the provincial Hi Nwa Mati programme in addressing water scarcity. Some residents have even suggested turning to the Modjadji Rain Queen, known for her rainmaking rituals, as a last resort. Despite these challenges, the district remains committed to resolving the water crisis and ensuring access to safe drinking water for all.",
  "summary": "The community scrambled to raise money to buy electricity from a private household to power the borehole, a community activist said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 400 Limpopo boreholes lack electricity after seven years.",
    "Mopani District works with Eskom to energize boreholes.",
    "Residents propose turning to Modjadji Rain Queen for rain."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}