Source articles published January and February 2020 

In the face of broken infrastructure, government inaction, and months without water, a group of volunteers in the small Free State town of Harrismith picked up tools and began fixing the town themselves.

What was the problem?

In 2019, taps in Harrismith ran dry. For six months, the Maluti-A-Phofung municipality failed to restore water. Poorly maintained infrastructure had led to burst pipes, broken pumps and valves. 

Electricity and sewage infrastructure was also decaying – while the town had a massive unpaid electricity bill to Eskom. The municipal crisis got so bad that the national government intervened to place the municipality under administration. When a municipality is put under administration, it means the local government is not doing its job properly—like failing to provide basic services (water, electricity, waste removal), manage money, or follow the law. So, the provincial government steps in to take control.

“Money laundering, corruption, you name it, it’s the cause of this,” Sam Twala said to the BBC.

Residents repeatedly reported issues and when things got even worse, took to the streets to protest, but still nothing changed.

How did they fix it?

In 2019, in the middle of the summer without water, a group of residents ran out of patience with the municipality and formed the Harrismith Water Heroes. Led by Sam Twala, a local driving instructor, the group started to fix broken pipes, sewage infrastructure and more by themselves.  

What made it work?

• Taking initiative - After a meeting in the community hall, in just 4 days, the Harrismith Water Heroes fixed a broken pump and restored water to a community who had been without water for months on end. This was the first of many successful efforts to repair water, sewage and electrical infrastructure. 

• Volunteering not tenders - Seeing how effectively the Harrismith Water Heroes was at fixing broken water infrastructure, officials said that they must register to receive a municipal tender. Sam Twala explained that "We refused, because in our view that was the thing that was going to cause problems for us,” He continued, “Once money gets involved, fights will start among us."

• Local support - The money and equipment for making repairs was provided through donations by local businesses, who were also fed up with the lack of basic services. They group was also motivated by the words of encouragement and thanks that their neighbours offered them for fixing water issues. 

• A cross-community effort - The Harrismith Water Heroes included residents from a range of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds working together to fix water issues. Everyone rolled up their sleeves. "Some were saying we are being used by whites and those who are whites among us were told they are being used by black people. But we were not moved," says Twala. They remained true to their goal and were successful.

Acknowledgements:

Volunteer group fights for dignity of their town by Penwell Dlamini

Harrismith, South Africa: A town fixing itself by Andrew Harding 

Photograph: Harrismith Water Heroes in Lanbou