- On Wednesday 6 December residents from Xakabantu informal settlement took to the streets to protest lack of basic needs such as toilets, running water and electricity.
- The initiative, spearheaded by the Back to Work Campaign, is a pro-active one aimed at doing something “before people lose control”.
- According to Ward 45 councillor Mandy Marr, the area occupied is an internationally Ramsar-protected site.
“There is estimated to be around 2 500 houses, which means 2 500 families in Xakabantu are without basic services,” says community leader Mike Kumalo. “One cannot act as if everything is normal.
“It’s just a matter of time for people to become fed-up and lose control.”
On Wednesday 6 December residents took to the streets to protest lack of basic needs such as toilets, running water and electricity.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Back to Work Campaign, is a pro-active one aimed at doing something “before people lose control”, Kumalo said.
“Residents are using a porta potty. If there were toilets there would be dignity.”
A cloud of dust fills the air as a water truck makes its way down a gravel road at the entrance to the informal settlement.
As if on queue Kumalo remarks: “There is also an issue with the water truck. Sometimes residents have to wait the entire day for the truck to arrive and other times they skip a day.
“With a three-member crew the cost per week is exponential compared to placing taps in the area. There are no water taps.”
According to Kumalo, residents invited members of subcouncil 19 for a site visit on Tuesday 21 November, but after repeated attempts their requests were ignored.
“The community of Xakabantu saw the site visit as critical, to bring the magnitude of the problems and issues related to the lack of service delivery in Xakabantu to the attention of the subcouncil delegation.”
Pumping her fists in the air as she marched with a group of protestors, mother of two Kathleen Thompson described safety as her greatest concern.
“When we come home from work we can’t fetch water because it is unsafe in the dark, and there is no electricity and you hear shots being fired at night.
“We can’t live like this forever. My kids live with my mother in Overcome Heights, where it is safer and where there is electricity.”
Nonkosi Fodo, a community leader from Vrygrond, said residents are struggling without basic services in the community.
“Everyone has the right to dignity and the township has been there for seven years already, but residents don’t have these basic services.
“People are really struggling and safety is a concern because they have to relieve themselves in the bush.”
What makes matters worse is that unemployment levels have never been at current levels, she added.
“With only around 20% of people with jobs, unemployment in the area, including Vrygrond, is at its highest.”
Andiswa Ncoko, a resident and mother, hoped for a better future when she first moved to the informal settlement four years ago.
“Before I stayed in Xakabantu, I was struggling to get a job and stayed as a backyard dweller in Capricorn. I paid R700 for a place to stay without electricity and water, so I went to Xakabantu thinking life there would be better.
“But it gets more difficult every day because in Xakabantu we don’t even have toilets, that is the main thing.”
According to Ward 45 councillor Mandy Marr, the area occupied is an internationally Ramsar-protected site.
“It is a very sensitive situation because there are so many innocent people living there who think they are living there legally.
“The site is an international Ramsar protected environment site which means there are certain species that are only found there and nowhere else.”
She confirmed that there is no electricity or taps for the 2 500 structures. “I fully understand and empathise with the plight of the Xakabantu residents, hence arranging the basic services of water and portable toilets. Every person has the right to human dignity, regardless of their circumstances.”
She added that the sub-council is happy to engage with the community.
