Originally published on 11 February 2019

Makhanda (which used to be called Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape has a big water problem, which leaves many people without water for days. The community and the disaster relief group Gift of the Givers stepped up to help with the urgent need for water.

What was the problem?

Many parts of Makhanda had had no water for more than a week because of issues with the water supply system. The high dirt levels in the Orange/Fish River supply caused the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works to stop working, affecting the city's eastern part. Low water levels in Settlers Dam and surprise power cuts made the problem worse. Residents waited for hours to get water from city trucks, which had trouble meeting the need.

How did they solve it?

Getting clean water is a right for all in South Africa and is meant to be provided by the local government. However, to help with the crisis, Gift of the Givers brought truckloads of bottled water to Makhanda and drilled boreholes so the community could get their water themselves. The group also sent Dr Gideon Groenewald, a water expert, to work with the city to find long-term water solutions. At the same time, the local group Makana Revive helped by giving out water. Vehicles from nearby municipalities and the University formerly known as Rhodes also delivered water to affected areas.

Acknowledgements:

Original article written by: Sue Maclennan, Grocott's Mail

Photograph supplied by: Rhodes University, Grocott's Mail

Source

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

• How to set up a community group

• How to start a WhatsApp group

• How to start a residents' association

• How to set up a community policing forum

• How to set up a neighbourhood watch

• How to organise community action

• How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.