Johannesburg, South Africa – Tsholofelo Moloi, a resident of Soweto on the outskirts of Johannesburg, has been struggling along with thousands of other South Africans as they face an unprecedented collapse of the water system in the country’s largest city. The severe shortage, exacerbated by hot weather and neglected infrastructure, has left residents, both wealthy and poor, in desperation. The situation poses a significant challenge for the ruling African National Congress ahead of this year’s election.
Desperate residents across Johannesburg, a city of about 6 million people, queue up daily for municipal tanker trucks delivering water, essential for cooking, cleaning, and daily tasks. Water scarcity has forced locals like Moloi to seek alternative sources, with bottled water prices soaring. The situation is particularly dire in a country where over 32% of the population is unemployed.
The term “watershedding” has emerged as a reflection of the water crisis, reminiscent of the common phenomenon of loadshedding, which refers to power outages. Water management authorities have warned of a total collapse of the water system if consumption is not reduced, leading to potential weeks without water from taps, especially as winter approaches in the Southern Hemisphere.
Activists and residents decry years of poor management and lack of infrastructure maintenance as the underlying causes of the crisis. A report revealed that a staggering 40% of Johannesburg’s water is lost to leaks, highlighting the urgent need for repairs and improvements. Even affluent suburbs are not spared, relying on municipal water tankers for supply, a scenario deemed unacceptable by many.
Local councilors express skepticism about a swift resolution to the water shortage, as water cuts become more frequent and unpredictable. Residents like Thabisile Mchunu face uncertainty and frustration as they grapple with dry taps and the daily struggle to secure water for essential needs.
Rand Water, the entity responsible for supplying water to municipalities in Gauteng province, has urged residents to reduce consumption as reservoir levels dwindle. Challenges with the electricity system further compound the water crisis, with a recent power station failure impacting water pumping stations in Johannesburg.
Amid escalating tensions and a growing sense of urgency, residents demand accountability and swift action to address the water crisis. The precarious situation underscores the need for long-term solutions to ensure access to clean and reliable water for all residents in Johannesburg and beyond.