Author: Dumani Moyo

Sewage problems at corner Uganda Street and Sudan Street are giving extension 6 residents hardships, who say the situation affected their festive season celebrations.

The sewer system blocked and burst on 23 December 2019, according to residents.  The waste, collecting from the sewer, has been overflowing along Uganda Street.

“No one can celebrate and enjoy in such an environment,” said Samkelo Mphini. “We were supposed to enjoy the festive season, but we could not because the place stinks and it is unsanitary. Our children play here and are getting exposed to health risks.”

Mphini said they reported the issue to City of Johannesburg, but they have not gotten a response.

“We expected 2020 to be a better year in as far as the sewage crisis is concerned in our community,” said Nonhlanhla Mbele. “But we seem to have started the year in a bad way because the sewage issue is refusing to come to an end in our community.”

The sewage problem in Cosmo City has been affecting the environment by causing the road corrosion, making the streets look filthy and forcing residents to breathe harmful stink air and exposing them to health risks.

Sewage spills may also cause lack of oxygen in the environment, and lead to serious damages in Cosmo city’s infrastructure as the sewage crisis continues, according to environmental researchers from Eco Culture Sechaba Foundation.

Since 2018, local authorities have been promising to initiate a project to permanently end the community’s sewage problems.  The project, which aimed to see the main sewer pipe upgraded, was noticed last year. However, the sewage crisis is still persisting in the community.

It was merrymaking and all smiles on 9 December when Randburg United Local and Long Distance Transport Association (RULLDTA) gave early Christmas gifts to needy residents in Kya Sands, Msawawa, Itsoseng, Lion Park and Diepsloot.

RULLDTA Women’s League initiated the programme to give away groceries to underprivileged families living in the informal settlements.

“Everyone deserves better Christmas celebrations,” said RULLDTA Women’s League chairperson Phindile Shabangu. “We as women at RULLDTA decided to show our presence to the communities and help them where we can. We are focusing on informal settlement residents because most of them do not have private transport and are relying much on us. So we are giving back to them.”

It is very important to support the needy people in our communities, Shabangu said.

“We are working hand in glove with Witkoppen Clinic and social workers to identify the vulnerable members of the community,” she said. “We will definitely continue to give support to the underprivileged and we want to do more next year.”

Informal settlements residents, who received the groceries, said they were happy to be considered for the festive season.

“I do not know how to thank RULLDTA,” said Otilia Ndlovu of Diepsloot. “They are very considerate and they came to us at a good time. I personally did not have money for Christmas groceries, but I will have something to eat with my family because of RULLDTA. I wish they continue doing their best to uplift the communities.”