Residents had plenty to say to councillors and officials at the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meetings this week. Despite being poorly advertised, the road shows went ahead as planned at a number of different venues.
Residents had plenty to say to councillors and officials at the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meetings this week. Despite being poorly advertised, the road shows went ahead as planned at a number of different venues.
In Tantyi, residents raised a long list of concerns. One of the most pressing was the incomplete provision of RDP houses to residents of Xolani.
Councillor Nomhle Gaga, who was chairing the meeting, conceded that the Xolani houses were built by the residents from mud, and said they qualified for RDP houses.
Other issues raised in the meeting included bad roads, a request for a library, bucket eradication and resolution of water outages.
Residents expressed concern about the lack of progress on the Foley's ground project and the Xolani street names initiative that was never concluded.
The municipality was criticised for not building homes for Zolani residents and for the sewage spill coming down from Thatha towards Xolani homes.
The executive mayor of Makana Municipality Zamuxolo Peter lauded Amatola Water for their work on the Grahamstown water crisis.
Addressing the Ward 5 meeting on Monday at Extension 9 Hall, Peter said the water situation was appalling before Amatola's intervention.
He said a team of experts from Amatola had taken him on a tour of the James Kleynhans water treatment works and explained to him why it was in a terrible condition.
"The filter pipes were blocked by sand and the settling tank had fish," he said. "There should be no fish in the settling tanks. It is a 'no-no' because that water has already been treated and [should be]ready for consumption by households."
Peter said Amatola Water had turned around the water situation, ensuring a reliable supply to the worst-affected places.
Amatola Water has been contracted by Makana Municipality to manage its bulk water supplies for the next five years.
Housing was a burning issue for Ward 5 and 10 residents when they met at BB Zondani hall in Fingo. Chairing that meeting, Gaga said there are 14 000 people who still needed houses in Grahamstown, although many had received houses.
Resident Vumile Leyi said it was disappointing that every time there are meetings in Makana promises are made but none of them are fulfilled.
“Since 2008 we have been promised houses, but even now I am still living in my father’s house at the age of 52. All of us and my siblings we still live at my parents’ house," he said. "That is not a dignified thing for a man. We have children and grandchildren in the same household."
"What are we supposed to do? Nobody gives us a direction. Does that mean I am going to die living at my house?"
He said he had stopped working years ago after he became sick. All he wanted, he said, was a home for his children.
