Anger and desperation boiled over in Soweto today as residents of Phiri and Mapetla took to the streets, protesting a relentless water shortage that has left households struggling for nearly six months.
Residents say they only get water during the early morning hours — between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — and even then, the pressure is barely enough to fill a bucket. For most of the day, taps run dry, forcing people to scramble for what little they can store, or rely on sporadic water truck deliveries, which locals say have appeared only once in the past two weeks.
The impact is severe and widespread. Toilets are blocked, children go to school without being able to wash, and some schools are running without any water at all — raising serious health and hygiene concerns. Daily life, residents say, has become a constant struggle.
“Six months is too long. We can’t cook, we can’t clean, we can’t live like this,” one protester shouted, echoing a sentiment felt across the township. Community members accuse the government and municipal authorities of turning a blind eye to their suffering, calling the continued delays in resolving the issue unacceptable.
With placards, chants, and a collective sense of frustration, today’s protest shines a harsh spotlight on the state of basic service delivery in parts of Johannesburg. For residents of Phiri and Mapetla, this is not just about water — it’s about dignity, health, and survival.
As tensions rise, the message to officials is clear: communities are tired of empty promises. What they need now is action.
