In the Maheights informal settlement in Bronkhorstspruit, Tshwane, residents have been struggling to access clean water for weeks. Gritah Ntuli, 62, said it had been two weeks since a water tanker had visited the settlement, forcing her to find alternative and costly ways to get water for her family. She would often take her family's clothes to the nearby stream to wash them and collect bath water, while buying drinking and cooking water. The stream's water is visibly murky, with green algae-like growth floating on it, but it has become a vital source of water for the community.
The situation changed suddenly just a day before the local government elections, when a water tanker arrived at the settlement, catching residents by surprise. Ntuli abandoned her laundry at the stream to collect drinking water from the tanker, highlighting the rare and welcome sight of a water tanker in the community. However, the settlement still faces significant challenges, including the lack of electricity and proper roads. Ntuli and her family use a mobile toilet opposite her yard, which they share with the community, and she expressed concerns about safety at night due to the lack of lighting.
Despite the challenges, Ntuli and other residents are eager to vote in the local government elections, hoping that their vote will bring about change. Ntuli said she wants the incoming government to build proper roads, provide electricity, and ensure a reliable supply of clean water from taps. Her sentiments were echoed by Dolly Mahlangu, 64, who also wants clean drinking water and running water from taps. Mahlangu said the water in the JoJo tanks provided by the government does not last long, and she hopes that the incoming government will address the water situation.
Tshwane chair of chairs Patrick Matshiane kaMabona said the government had made some changes to improve the lives of Maheights residents. Formalisation had been done, and people had their own stands. JoJo tanks had been placed in the area, and water tankers come regularly to fill them. Mobile toilets had been provided, and electricity was being installed. However, Matshiane kaMabona also noted that some residents sell their stands and return to the wetlands from which they had been removed, posing a challenge to the government's efforts.
The struggles faced by Maheights residents are not unique, but they highlight the need for effective service delivery and infrastructure development in informal settlements. The lack of access to clean water, electricity, and proper roads has a significant impact on the daily lives of residents, forcing them to find costly and often inadequate alternatives. As the local government elections approach, residents like Ntuli and Mahlangu are hoping that their vote will bring about change and improve their living conditions.
The government has taken steps to address some of the challenges faced by Maheights residents, but more needs to be done to ensure that residents have access to basic services. The installation of electricity and the provision of mobile toilets are welcome developments, but they do not address the underlying issues of lack of access to clean water and proper roads. As residents prepare to cast their votes, they will be looking for parties that can provide effective solutions to these challenges.
Ultimately, the local government elections will provide an opportunity for residents like Ntuli and Mahlangu to have their voices heard. By voting, they hope to bring about change and improve their living conditions. The government, on the other hand, will have to demonstrate its commitment to service delivery and infrastructure development to regain the trust of residents and ensure that they have access to basic services.
Key points
- Residents of Maheights informal settlement are eager to vote in the local government elections, hoping for an end to their struggles with accessing clean water, electricity, and proper roads.
- The government has made some changes to improve the lives of Maheights residents, including the provision of JoJo tanks, mobile toilets, and electricity.
- Residents are hoping that their vote will bring about change and improve their living conditions, particularly with regards to access to clean water, electricity, and proper roads.
