Struggle for Water Rights in South Africa: A New Definition of Hope?

Written by Patricia Jones, program manager, Environmental Justice

Elliott Nsundu is the Coalition Against Water Privatization's local task force leader for the Kwa-Masiza Hostel in Vaal, Zone 20 -- an unofficial settlement 45 minutes outside of Johannesburg. There is no running water, sanitation, or electricity in Kwa-Masiza. Many of the residents are "retrenched" workers (laid off) from EastCo and Metal Works factory, who are suffering from work-related illnesses, particularly from the chemicals used in the factory.

Elliott spoke to us: "Twenty four hours without water -- for many days. How many hours in a year? Water trucks come by once per week -- you can only have 40 liters." Elliott and the community members who met with us told about their struggle to keep living at Kwa-Masiza. Originally it was a "hostel" organized as temporary housing, but with well-built buildings and a large park-like area surrounding the compound. The buildings are not shacks -- they are two to three stories high, built out of cement, have windows, and were built in the 1960s. But the utility services were shut off, and police were sent in to forcibly evict the residents. Many of the flats show the effects of this action -- broken windows, doors. The community resisted and have stayed.

The property changed hands from the government to private owners, who insisted that the residents pay 300 Rand per bed (many of the flats have three to four beds) per month to stay -- even without any utilities. The average salary is 800 rand per month (300 rand is approximately $43.) They refuse to pay until the conditions change. Elliott wants people in the United States to know how difficult it is, how dangerous for children, for the residents, for their health. There is no privacy for sanitation.

Says Elliott: "Hope? We have lost hope -- but we are still prepared to fight. We are slowly losing our trust in this government." It makes you think about the definition of hope -- if a person can continue to work day in and out to better the community, and others, despite police attacks and very difficult living conditions as Elliot does -- isn't that hope? Maybe it's stronger stuff than hope. Whatever it is, Elliott has it and South Africa will be better place because of people like him.