Download PDFThe community of Moberite in Freedom Park, Soweto, say they have difficulties with one of the community members who runs a big business selling pigs. The actual owner doesn’t stay in the area; it is the workers who live there. The community has a street committee to handle community problems, but it is not easy for the street committee to resolve the issue.
Moberite community members say that the pigs produce an unbearable odour and want to see changes. The area is bad when it is raining, but when it is not raining, then the pigs’ smell stinks up the place. Residents say that even within their homes, the unbearable odour reaches them. A lot of people usually stay inside their shacks no matter how hot it is outside, because when it is hot, it becomes worse. It is difficult for the community to enjoy time at home or dine because of the smell.
After the community reported the issue to the street committee, the members of the committee had an opportunity to speak to the farmer on 14 February 2025. He said he fixed the place where he runs his piggery, but since then he has never come back to the area and didn’t do anything to fix the place.
After the community complained again, the committee arranged a meeting with the piggery owner, but this time he didn’t even attend the meeting.
Because most of the odour actually comes from the manure of the pigs rather than the animals themselves, the community recommended that the pig farmers should clean the place where the pigs are, at least twice a week. They also said that the floor should be filled with concrete, as well as an end to dumping a lot of rotten food on the street corners.
But still, nothing is being done to resolve the issue. People who reside on the same street as the piggery are crying out for help.
One of the residents who stayed on the street with the piggery decided to leave, moving out with his family because there was no change.
Moberite, Freedom Park, is a new human settlement, people do as they please without consideration of others. The area has poor conditions for humans to live in, and the pig farm makes things worse.
Now the community start asking questions about why they gave a person space to farm animals as the area is small and clustered. The community of Moberite say they feel helpless, others in the community report health problems linked to the pig stink. Strong pig odours have been proven to induce health problems such as increased blood pressure, respiratory problems and other issues.
Living in an unsafe area with unsuitable housing conditions may contribute to health inequalities, which can also be a factor in health problems. The suitability of a neighbourhood must include a person’s housing and environment, as well as the role they might play in the person’s health.
What can be the solution?
The breeding must be safe and clean, the building must have a roof on top, it must be divided into three rooms, one room is for keeping the big, a second room for feeding and the last room must be a storeroom. They have to clean the rooms twice a week, to make sure that the big are safe and healthy. So that the environment can be in good condition to avoid complaints from the community.
This article was submitted on 07 April 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
