Cape Argus

Voters have a chance to show ANC who’s boss

-

LIKE the electricit­y crisis that has stayed stubborn for the better part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s tenure, the water crisis that has become all too common in many parts of the country should serve as motivation for would-be voters to show the ANC government who’s boss.

The only chance of doing so is through the ballot in less than two months from today.

Much like the unemployme­nt crisis, crime and corruption, the ANCled government does not seem to have a plan on how to resolve this humanitari­an crisis.

Yesterday, the Emfuleni Municipali­ty, which has been grappling with water woes for ages, urged community members to boil water before consumptio­n as again, its water has been contaminat­ed through sewer issues. This not being the first time this embattled municipali­ty finds itself in a similar situation means they have failed to deliver on the promise of access to clean and drinkable water.

This is not the only municipali­ty having a similar problem. Since the floods in 2022, the water situation in the eThekwini Municipali­ty, particular­ly in the north of Durban encompassi­ng Phoenix, Tongaat, Durban North, Greenwood Park, Glenashley, Virginia, Sunningdal­e and uMhlanga, has become progressiv­ely worse.

Meanwhile, other parts of Gauteng are also experienci­ng severe water shortages as the crisis affects townships, informal settlement­s and affluent suburbs.

Besides scorching temperatur­es being at the centre of depleting reservoirs, decades of infrastruc­ture neglect have made things worse for the province and with no comprehens­ive plan in sight, the crisis seems here to stay.

If South Africans are serious about taking charge of their future, those eligible to vote need very little motivation to vote the ANC out of power and take their lives into their own hands and choose better.

In response to the crisis, the Cabinet has establishe­d yet another task team. This Water Task Team, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, is made up of various ministries. However, recent history on task teams and war rooms has shown us their futility.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa