By Sbongile Sokela
Residents of White City Kwa-Thema are living in deplorable conditions, with 21 houses affected by water seeping from the ground, making it impossible for them to live comfortably. One house has already been demolished due to the severity of the issue. Councillor Nkunjana highlighted the plight of the residents, stating, “This area, it’s been years, it’s been like this, and as you can see, if you can get inside the house, it is wet. Even paint can’t stay on, this place is not suitable for the people.”
The residents have been struggling with this issue since 1959, with no solution in sight. A community member explained, “The water comes from the ground to the point when there is no water, people come and get water here.” The residents have tried to find temporary solutions, such as putting tiles, but the problem persists. One resident shared their experience, “There was a big hole in the ground, I thought to myself that this means we were gonna go inside.”
The situation is further complicated by the darkness in the area, with Councillor Nkunjana mentioning the “Apolo issue” and stating, “Last time I reported the Apolo issue that it’s dark.” The residents are also concerned about safety, particularly for children, and have demanded a sidewalk to prevent accidents. “The thing of using bricks is dangerous to even children; they fall,” they said.
Chief Whip Pelisa Nkunjana promised the residents that she would go and discuss their issues and come back with feedback. The residents hope that their plight will finally be addressed after decades of suffering.
