Download PDFParts of the Eastern Cape have been facing a serious struggle in terms of the supply of clean and safe drinking water. One of the towns that were hit hard is Gqeberha. Yesterday we went to the streets of Makhanda to try and find out from the people who are affected by the water crisis.
A first-year student at Rhodes University, Nhlakanipho Cele said, “I have never experienced this before.” Cele who was born and bred in KwaZulu-Natal, was on his way to buy 5 litres of water for drinking and cooking for the day.
“Sometimes we spend a day without taking a shower since we go on for days and even weeks without water,” said Cele.
The water crisis has been going on for a long time and the residents and businesspeople have lost all hope that it will come to an end anytime soon.
Sakhumzi Ncwazi voiced out his feelings when we spoke to him. Ncwazi, a father of three, does not understand how a “basic need” can be made so scarce to the people without any communication from the municipality.
“Sometimes I use my VW Polo Vivo to go to the reservoir and get some water. It’s a real struggle when it has just rained because it is not easy to drive,” said Ncwazi.
“We have not had water today and I am forced to do hair plaiting and Elave washing, relaxing as it requires water, and that is a loss for me,” said Cicilia Dzifah, a salon owner.
The residents of Makhanda have lost all hope in the municipality as there is no action taken to try and alleviate the problem. The local councillor was unavailable for comment on the matter. The residents’ plea is that there should be at least one municipal truck, at least once a week so that they have some water at home and do not go completely dry.
This article was submitted on 28 March 2023. 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.
