Coronationville residents rise up to battle the ongoing water crisis

Residents of Coronationville are fed up with years of unreliable water supply, leading to protests that have shut down key intersections. As the community fights for their basic needs, the consequences of the ongoing crisis ripples through households and schools alike.

October 28, 2024

Waydon Jacobs 2 minutes read

Pensioner Gladwin Arendse with Raegan Van Zyl and Trent Britton.

Residents of Coronationville are facing a severe water crisis that has persisted for years, leading to protests and significant disruptions in daily life. The situation has escalated to the point where community members are blocking roads in frustration over the lack of reliable water supply.

In response to the ongoing crisis, residents have taken to the streets, the protest featured two parts, 08:00 in the morning, and 15:00 in the afternoon. To emphasise the crisis that they are facing in their community, they blocked the Perth Road and Harmony Street junction. Protesters burned tires and demanded immediate action from local authorities.

The amount of bottles a resident needs fill up at the available JoJo tanks.

Donovan Elias, a long-time resident and pensioner, expressed his anger over the current state of affairs. “I have to wake up in the middle of the night just to fill buckets of water for my family,” he lamented. “This has compromised my sleep and overall well-being.” Elias, who has lived in Coronationville since 1971, noted that the situation has worsened since 2017, when Johannesburg Water (JW) first announced restrictions due to low dam levels.

Now, residents often receive water only during the early hours, forcing them to adapt their routines drastically. The impact of the water shortages extends beyond individual households. De-Angelo Vaughan, a local learner, shared his struggles with waking up at 02:00 or 03:00 to fill buckets before heading to school.

Also read: Coronationville resident says living without water is insanity

“It affects my focus in class because I’m so tired from waking up early,” he said, highlighting the toll on learners’ educations and well-being. The crisis has also disrupted local schools like Bernard Isaacs Primary School. Reports indicate that some schools in the area have had to close due to the lack of water, preventing students from attending classes.

“We lost a 12-year-old boy due to the same water crisis,” said Melissa Davids, a PA councillor for Ward 69. “This issue has been ongoing, and it’s affecting our community deeply.” Residents are frustrated by the perceived inequity in water distribution.

While areas like Joe Slovo informal settlement reportedly have running water, Coronationville residents, who pay for their water, are left without. “It seems the people who are paying their bills are the ones being deprived,” Davids added.

Keagan Elias has to fill buckets of water amidst the shortage.

The situation has drawn attention to the broader issues within Johannesburg’s water supply system, which has been under strain due to various factors, including infrastructure challenges and power outages affecting water pumping stations.

As the community continues to grapple with these challenges, the call for accountability and effective solutions grows louder. Residents are determined to make their voices heard, demanding that their needs be prioritized in the ongoing water crisis.