For over ten years, residents of Kolong Village near Taung in the North West province have struggled with severe water shortages, leaving them desperate for government intervention.
Community members say they are forced to trek long distances to fetch water from a nearby river, a daily ordeal that poses significant challenges, particularly for the elderly and young children.
“We have been suffering for too long,” said one frustrated villager. “Every day, we wake up knowing we must walk far just to get water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Our children are late for school, and our grandparents struggle to carry heavy buckets. The government must help us now.”
Despite repeated appeals to local authorities, the village has yet to see a sustainable solution. Residents allege that temporary water tank deliveries are inconsistent and insufficient to meet their needs.
The North West Department of Water and Sanitation has acknowledged the complaints but cited infrastructure challenges and budget constraints as delaying factors. Meanwhile, community leaders are demanding immediate action, warning that the ongoing crisis threatens health, education, and livelihoods.
As the situation worsens, calls are growing for provincial and national authorities to prioritize Kolong Village in water provision projects before the dry winter months exacerbate the hardship.