As South Africa approaches the 2026 local government elections, residents of Pimville in Soweto express frustration with the lack of meaningful change in their community. Despite numerous complaints about electricity, crime, poor infrastructure, and housing, residents say their concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Mbulelo Mfene, a 65-year-old resident, moved to Pimville in 2010 after receiving an RDP house. However, life in the area has not improved as he had hoped.
Mfene and his wife, Landiwe Mthini, previously lived in a shack in Klipspruit before moving into their RDP home. Both are now unemployed, having lost their jobs as cleaners in 2008. They opened a small tuck shop selling vetkoeks and snacks to make a living. However, running the business has come with its own risks, including numerous break-ins due to a lack of proper operating streetlights. Mfene recalled an incident when armed robbers broke into his shop and pointed a gun at his wife while demanding money.
Pimville is one of the older parts of Soweto, with a history dating back to the early development of Johannesburg’s black townships. The area was renamed Pimville in 1934 after Howard Pim and today includes several zones and RDP housing areas. However, residents say the area’s history has not translated into the level of services they expect. Mfene said residents have written letters and staged protests over their concerns, but little has changed.
Electricity, policing, and basic infrastructure remain among the biggest problems facing the community. Mfene said he has registered to vote but will not support the ANC. “The ANC needs to be removed from power and I hope the people of South Africa will take themselves seriously,” he said. For 69-year-old Linah Sthonga, the decision about who to vote for remains unclear. Sthonga, who lives with four grandchildren, said she has registered to vote but is not hopeful that the elections will bring meaningful change.
Sthonga was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2010 and said the frequent outages in the area have caused her stress. She said when there is no electricity, she puts her medication on the floor to keep it in a cool space at all times. Her home has become too old for her and her grandchildren, with RDP houses built in the early 2000s still lacking proper roofing. Water comes inside during heavy storms and rain, and power outages occur frequently.
For 63-year-old pensioner Thokozile Simelane, frustration with the state of her home has also shaped her view of the elections. “The ANC used me,” she said. Simelane, who has lived in Pimville for more than 10 years, has struggled with a deteriorating house and a leaking roof. “We have been living in a dilapidated house for years. Our roof is leaking. Electricity is and has been a problem for as long as I can remember,” she said.
Community activist Siyabonga Mthembu said the problems went beyond individual households. He said residents in Zone 9 felt neglected and that opportunities did not reach the area. “We don’t have any police patrols in this area. We requested one once, but it never comes inside the area, it ends by the streets,” Mthembu said. He also wants a change in political leadership, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.
Key points
- Pimville residents cite electricity, crime, and housing as top concerns ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
- Residents express frustration with the lack of meaningful change despite numerous complaints.
- Community activist calls for change in political leadership, urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.
