Residents of Hammanskraal
By Karabo Marifi
Residents of Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, continue to face severe water challenges, despite the recent launch of phase one of the Magalies Klipdrift potable water project last month. While some are hopeful that clean water may soon flow from their taps, others remain sceptical, citing years of unfulfilled promises and delays. The community’s decades-long water crisis, exacerbated by a cholera outbreak last year that claimed over 30 lives, remains a painful reminder of the government’s failure to deliver on basic human rights.
A Community Scarred by Tragedy
Jacob Mulaudzi, a resident of Majaneng village, recalls the devastating loss of his niece Tebatso, who succumbed to cholera shortly after securing her first teaching post at a local school. “She had completed her tertiary education and was about to start teaching at a local primary school in the same week that she died of cholera,” he said. A year later, Mulaudzi and his neighbours are still relying on water tankers, with no clean water coming from their taps.
“As residents of Hammanskraal, I think we can all see that we’ll never get water. Instead, there’s going to be a lot of changes and delays,” Mulaudzi lamented.
The community’s frustration is palpable, with many losing faith in the government’s ability to resolve the crisis. The long-standing delays in refurbishing the Rooiwaal Wastewater Treatment Plant have been a significant barrier, leaving Hammanskraal’s residents without a sustainable solution for years.
Phase One of Klipdrift Plant: A Partial Solution
In a bid to address Hammanskraal’s water challenges, the government launched phase one of the R758 million Magalies Klipdrift water treatment project. Implemented by Magalies Water, the plant is designed to provide 12.5 megalitres of potable water into the bulk supply scheme. This phase is expected to benefit areas such as Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens, Kudube Unit 9, and parts of Mandela Village.
However, residents are yet to see significant changes. Magalies Water CEO, Ofentse Nthutang, explained that water quality remains a concern. “We’re flushing the system, and we have been detecting water that is not compliant for human consumption. Turbidity has been one of the non-compliance issues, and colour has been one of the non-compliance issues, and we have also detected some E.coli in some of the tests that we’ve conducted,” Nthutang revealed.
To ensure water safety, further testing is underway. Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, has emphasised the importance of transparency. “We want to ensure that there’s no doubt when it comes to that water; it must be just clean water. The testing of that water will be done in the presence of Magalies, the Department of Water & Sanitation, as well as Tshwane, and once that water is tested, those results must be publicised so that the community must know we’re not hiding anything,” she said.
Lingering Skepticism and Disappointment
Despite the government’s assurances, many residents remain unconvinced. The SA National Civic Association (SANCO) expressed dissatisfaction with the progress. “They said to us they’ll come back and test that water because all departments are not satisfied with the quality of water, so we’re still waiting. We’re so disappointed,” said SANCO’s Jeffrey Nyathikazi.
One local resident summarised the community’s despair: “They say water is life, but for us here it’s death. I’ve lost hope that we’ll get clean water.”
Business Amid Crisis
The water crisis has inadvertently created entrepreneurial opportunities for some. Local businessman Sizwe Temeka has capitalised on the situation by selling water. “I’ve started selling water after realising water challenges in the area, and the business has grown and is doing very well,” he shared.
However, such initiatives highlight the inequity in access to water and underscore the systemic failure to address the community’s needs comprehensively.
Health Facilities Left Waiting
Hammanskraal’s state-of-the-art health facility remains dependent on water tankers, with hopes pinned on the completion of the remaining three phases of the Klipdrift plant by June next year. A local councillor explained, “It is fully furnished so that’s why we say by June next year everything will be all right, possibly, water and some finishing touches around the area.”
A National Crisis
Hammanskraal’s water woes reflect a broader crisis affecting South Africa’s water systems. Dr Ferrial Adam, an expert on water quality, highlighted the urgency of the situation. “I think we’re very near to a breaking point in South Africa, and it’s very concerning. We’re dealing with issues of quality, poor quantity, and lack of access. Only 46% of South Africans have a tap in their homes. We know that almost 9 or 10% of the population still rely on rivers and streams, which are highly polluted in South Africa,” Adam stressed.
Earlier this year, the Public Protector acknowledged the Tshwane municipality’s efforts to address water and sanitation challenges in Hammanskraal. However, the lack of tangible progress continues to fuel frustration among residents.
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