Struggling to cope with KZN water crisis
Despite recent rains, parts of KZN are still experiencing difficulties dealing with the ongoing water crisis.
|||Durban - The drought crisis in KwaZulu Natal continues to affect Ntsimbini, south of Durban, where water is only available in the early hours of the morning . Some schools are now depending on JOJO water tanks for to supply their needs. Even though water tanks are scheduled to visit the area at specified times, they sometimes do not come.
IOL spoke to Mcebisi Gwala, a pupil from Isibongindlela High in Ntsimbini, on how this water crisis affects him at school.
“ We have to wake up at 3 am as thats the only time we have running water because by 5 o clock the water is finished for the day so if you don't bath by that time or put water in buckets for the day you wont have any water. When you come back from school you need to wash your uniform with water everyone in the house has been using and its probably dirty by then,” says Mcebisi.
There is no clean drinking water at his school therefore he brings a 2 litre water bottle from home every day to drink and wash his hands.
He says that he is probably drinking dirty water now as he drinks water from a JOJO tank at school.
“In a JOJO tank you're not sure what is up on the roof and because there so many pupils at school the water quickly finishes from the tank.”
A community working together
Happiness Ndlovu, a resident of Ntsimbini, says the water crisis has taught communities to help each other.
“If my neighbour is lucky and has some water we will share but it is still difficult and we are suffering for water. We went to our councillors but they do not tell us what to do or help.”
In Umlazi K section residents have been experiencing water cuts since last year , but recently have the cuts have escalated. Residents of Nyathi Road and Phumula Road have not had any water since April 3. Although water tanks supply water in the area, they come in the afternoon when school children are at school and most adults are at work.
“I live in ward 78, and we haven't had any water in two weeks. The tanks don't have a particular time that they come which is sometimes frustrating as we don't get water and when they do come they come at midday. Its been two weeks without flushing the toilet and when we tell our councillor we are not being taken seriously they do not get back to us. Even if the water trucks come by, they pass our area and attend eNgonyameni,” says resident Peteros Mkhize .
While recent rains may have created the impression that the situation is improving , KwaZulu Natal residents are still urged to save water.
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