For many years now, villagers in Giyani, Limpopo, have felt nothing but a sense of betrayal by the government that has promised them water but delivered none.

The multi-billion rand Giyani Bulk Water Project is in its 14th year with costs rising to R4,5bn and yet 55 villages in the area known for water scarcity are still waiting for a drop to come out of the taps. Instead, the construction of the critical infrastructure at the Nandoni Dam in Thohoyandou has suffered as public funds were diverted to private pockets...