The tears from the cries have dried just like the water they cry for has dried
Kgang Maimane
By:Kgang Maimane
The tears from the cries have dried just like the water they cry for has dried
One of the most necessary resources in the life of all species, water, which is a basic right in terms of the South African Constitution, continues to be a struggle to access. Water taps are dry and getting rusty in the highest-lying areas, while the lowest-lying areas around Phokeng are experiencing intermittent or low-pressure water. However, for the majority of the community, it is a daily struggle to access water.
Who is to blame for the water shortage? Is it the Royal Bafokeng Administration (RBA) as a water supplier to its community? Some people say they are and have to take responsibility. Is it because of the mushrooming of backyard houses, which results in an increase in population that exceeds the water supply? “It is part of the problem, almost 90% of households have tenants, which overburdens the water supply, the landlords are not paying for the water consumption, but some are charging their tenants water rates”. Says Mogale.
The struggle to access water has been going on for years. The community depends on the water tanker trucks, which serve not only Phokeng but also other Bafokeng villages, and the delivery schedule may include one or two sections on a day. The administration has supplied the community with water tanks, which are placed for the community in mostly affected areas, but they also run dry and have to wait for the trucks to fill them. Others have bought tanks for their household consumption, which are filled by the administration water trucks, or they buy when there are no trucks, while others have opted for borehole water. A 60-year-old male community member says he does not have a choice but to buy water as the trucks take days to come to their section. “Masosobane section okare ya lebalwa re phela re sena metsi” translates to “Masosobane section seems to be forgotten as we are always without water”.
“We used to get water regularly as we are located just below the upper lying sections, but now, we can go days without water, and that is when you will feel that water is precious and have to use it well and save,” Says Maletsatsi Diale. They now fill buckets and drums to use for flushing toilets and laundry. She added, “We keep water buckets in our houses for consumption, otherwise we will go thirsty with our children”. She says they plan to buy a JoJo tank as it can store enough water for her family’s needs.
Royal Bafokeng Administration has a project that started last year by creating bore holes around the village and plans to feed the reservoirs as a solution. The other communication from the administration is that they plan to implement a provision for paying for water services, as we do not pay for the water consumption in the village.
