Majodina's 'joke' on water crisis sparks public fury

After 1994, South Africa became a beacon of hope on the continent. African countries envied us and looked up to us as a nation.

But today, South Africa is just another African country. It is experiencing electricity and water problems. Thanks to the ANC. Water is a basic necessity. You can live without electricity but not without water.

And the democratic government is aware of that. Yet the water problems persist in our country. I saw a video clip of the minister of water and sanitation, Pammy Majodina, making a joke out of our water situation.

Clap once. It has become common for communities (Black and white) to remain without water for a long time. And the government has not shown any commitment to solve this challenge. That means this problem is here to stay, just like electricity.

Black townships continue to have load reduction while suburbs enjoy 100% electricity, just like in the past. In Kagiso, Mogale City, there is a section that doesn't have water. It's been years now. They only have water at 12 midnight.

As a result, they no longer use their geysers. Interestingly, their area is situated next to a reservoir. For a long time, residents in Brits had a water problem. It later emerged that the challenge was man-made. So, it was sabotage. Clearly , certain individuals were benefiting from this challenge.

Greed has gripped our nation.

Last week, Rand Water circulated a notice that there is high consumption of water in Gauteng due to extreme heat. Subsequently, Mogale City Local Municipality circulated a notice that reservoirs are low.

Thereafter, some areas (including Kagiso) had low pressure or no water. The extreme weather or heat wave is not going away anytime soon. Even next year, we will be experiencing the same, if not worse, due to climate change. Rand Water is aware of that. Does that mean we will still be having water problems?

If a government fails to provide water for its residents, it is not fit to govern. Our democratic government lacks the will to solve this man-made crisis, which is spiraling out of control. Yet Majodina treats it as a joke. Indeed, we have the government we deserve.

Thabile Mange, Kagiso