Segoahleng, a small rural community in Mashashane Limpopo, has long relied on three water pumps to meet its needs. For years, these pumps provided the community with clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and sanitation. Today, the community of Segoahleng, as big as it is have been relying on one water pump, But in recent weeks, the pump suddenly stopped working, plunging the community into a water crisis.
Without access to clean water, Segoahleng residents have been forced to travel long distances to fetch water with their wheelbarrows, often carrying heavy containers on their heads. This has led to increased fatigue and several injuries, as well as a lack of clean water for essential household tasks. The crisis has also led backyard crops to die.
Water is the lifeblood of the community of Segoahleng. For generations, the people of this rural village have relied on a steady supply of clean water for their most basic needs. But in recent weeks, the breakdown of the village’s sole water pump has highlighted just how critical water is to the survival and well-being of the community. Without water, even the simplest of tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing, become difficult. Beyond the physical challenges, the lack of water is also taking a toll on the mental health of the community.
On a typical morning in Segoahleng, women and children rise before dawn to begin their long journey to collect water. With buckets and jugs in hand, they make their way to the only remaining source of water. It is often crowded, and the wait to fill their containers can take long. Some have even resorted to digging makeshift wells and springs, but these too have been affected by the dry conditions. This daily struggle for water has become a burden for many in the community, taking away time that could be spent on other essential tasks.
For many residents of Segoahleng, the daily fight for water has taken a toll on their mental health and well-being. Many report feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the situation, and some even describe feeling hopeless about the future. The impact on children is particularly concerning, as they are sometimes taken out of school to help with water collection, and their education suffers as a result. Some parents report that their children have become withdrawn and depressed, as they are unable to participate in normal childhood activities such as soccer practice due to the demands of water collection.
As the water crisis drags on, the wider impacts are becoming clear. The decline in agricultural productivity leads to a rise in food prices and a growing number of families struggling to meet their basic needs..
One of the community members, Mr. William Ramaoka tells Reddot Media that the water pump was since taken to the professionals to get fixed about a month ago and it hasn’t been returned with no update. “We have been doing follow-ups for weeks and they keep failing us” he said.
What must be done?