Originally published on 27 January 2020

What was the problem?

Harrismith, a town in the Free State, had a big problem when its taps were dry for six months, leaving people without water. The Maluti-A-Phofung municipality, already under administration, couldn't fix the problem quickly. The community was stressed, and something needed to be done fast.

How did they fix it?

A group of residents, led by Sam Twala, decided to take action. They formed the Harrismith Water Heroes, a volunteer group focused on fixing the town's water system. With help from municipal officials, they checked the water system and put in a pump to get water from the nearby Sterkfontein Dam. In four days, water flowed again, even though it was with low pressure.

The group didn't stop there. They worked on other service delivery issues, like fixing roads, cleaning the town, and sorting out sewerage problems. Even though they faced challenges, they stayed committed to their work.

The group spent a lot of resources on their projects and, where possible, got government money to help. Despite some setbacks, they continued their work with no plans to stop.

Acknowledgements:

Original article written by: Penwell Dlamini

Photograph supplied by: Harrismith Water Heroes

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.