Hammanskraal water crisis: Bottled water added to crèche 'stationery' list
Despite the Public Protector ordering the City of Tshwane in November to come up with a plan to address the water challenges in Hammanskraal in 60 days, the use of tap water remains a life-threatening risk for the people of Temba.
Children at the Little Darlings creche in Hammanskraal. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey/Eyewitness News
HAMMANSKRAAL - While reeling from the devastating effects of a water contamination crisis and a cholera outbreak, the people of Hammanskraal say they have come to terms with the possibility of never drinking tap water again.
At least 31 lives were claimed when the deadly disease spread last year - 29 of those in Temba.
Almost a year since officials visited the area and made promises - which included the launch of an investigation into the Rooiwal wastewater project - residents are still being advised to stay away from tap water.
You'd think there's a water outage on an ordinary day here in Temba as every other person carries a bucket or a bottle and walks towards the nearest building that resembles a spaza shop but that only sells purified water.
This is the daily reality of the people of Temba in Hammanskraal.
Mamoruti Damaris Malebye has been running the Little Darlings crèche for 28 years in the area.
She says parents are expected to provide their children with toilet paper, nappies and wipes.
And with the rapidly deteriorating quality of water in Hammanskraal over the years, sometimes reflecting a brownish colour and carrying a stench, she's had to add to make an unusual request to parents.
"We started asking parents if they can buy water for children to drink. They mustn't refill it because when they refill it, they use tap water, so when they bring the water, we check the bottle if it's sealed."
She says because of the socio-economic conditions in Temba, some parents simply cannot afford bottled water.
"Our mission is to serve the community and to satisfy them. When you tell me your problem, then I just accept it and say no problem, because we share things here. I can't say 'you didn't bring water, you're not good to bring the child' something like that."
Despite the Public Protector ordering the City of Tshwane in November to come up with a plan to address the water challenges in Hammanskraal in 60 days, the use of tap water remains a life-threatening risk for the people of Temba.