Residents of the Saulsville hostel in South Africa's City of Tshwane are struggling with numerous challenges, including sewage spills, crime, and unemployment. The hostel, home to approximately 7,000 people, has become a symbol of the country's ongoing socio-economic struggles. With sewage pooling outside their front doors and a shortage of proper toilets, residents say they have little hope that their lives will improve.
A visit to the Murray and Roberts hostel block revealed a large pool of sewage water lying directly in front of people's homes. The foul smell was overpowering, reaching inside the houses and making it difficult for residents to bear. Peter Makola, a resident, said it felt like he lived in sewage and couldn't escape the smell even with the doors closed. Makola and other residents have tried to unblock the sewer using long steel rods, but the problem persists.
Residents at the Saulsville hostel are also complaining about the lack of services. They used to pay R333 per family house and R100 for a single house for services, but they have since stopped paying due to the lack of delivery. The community also complained about crime and unemployment, with some residents expressing frustration about the area's councillor, who they say is ignoring their pleas.
The hostel's environment is also marred by overgrown vegetation, discarded material, and patches of stones. A narrow footpath winds between the buildings and trees, offering a glimpse of the everyday environment in which residents go about their lives. Thick black cables that illegally connect electricity run on the ground, highlighting the community's reliance on informal solutions to access basic services.
For many residents, unemployment is a major concern. Shane Silolo, a 30-year-old resident, said he wakes up every day and sits around, smoking weed and reading books because there is nothing to do. He relies on the R370 grant, which is not enough for food, and sometimes sleeps on an empty stomach. Silolo plans to vote for the first time in the upcoming election, hoping that the party he chooses will bring change.
Other residents, such as John Uwane, also expressed frustration about unemployment. The 56-year-old said they use an illegal electricity connection and would like the municipality to provide electricity so that they can pay. Uwane said he depends on grants, which are not enough, and plans to change his vote in the upcoming election. He has been voting for the ANC for 32 years but has given up hope.
Community leader Sengani Mudau said the biggest challenge facing the hostel is unemployment, with crime and infrastructure problems also prevalent. About 200 people are expected to share three mobile toilets in each block, and some have even dug their own pit toilets. Mudau said people get hijacked and killed, and no one knows why, highlighting the need for urgent intervention to address the hostel's challenges.
Key points
- Residents of the Saulsville hostel face numerous challenges, including sewage spills, crime, and unemployment.
- The hostel's environment is marred by overgrown vegetation, discarded material, and patches of stones.
- Unemployment is a major concern, with many residents relying on grants that are not enough to meet their basic needs.
