AfriForum Vryheid held a community meeting on May 27 where growing concerns about what the organisation described as state failure and deteriorating service delivery were discussed, said Eugene van Aswegen, Provincial Coordinator for KwaZulu-Natal.

Residents were told the most pressing issues include frequent electricity outages that disrupt water purification, ageing water infrastructure that is not being upgraded, and repeated water interruptions. Poor road maintenance and potholes damaging vehicles were also highlighted. The meeting noted that AbaQulusi Local Municipality collects about R138 million in property rates revenue.

According to the Auditor-General’s 2024 report, about 52% of Vryheid’s water (approximately R19 million) is lost due to leaks, while electricity losses are around 26% (about R70.2 million), pointing to major infrastructure inefficiencies.

Community-driven solutions encouraged

Van Aswegen said these challenges reinforce its view that communities increasingly need to take responsibility for certain services, as civil and private initiatives step in where state systems fail, with a stronger focus on decentralised, local action.

New chairperson outlines priorities

Newly elected chairperson Linda de Jager said the repair of potholes is a key priority, noting that residents report daily accidents caused by severe road damage, with some cases already being fatal. She also highlighted community safety as a second major goal, with AfriForum aiming to train more members in safety structures, including active participation from women in the programme. A third priority is improved water quality monitoring, with plans to conduct proper water testing in Vryheid to determine safety levels, as access to clean drinking water is regarded as a basic right.

Pothole repair initiative gains support

Van Aswegen said a quotation for pothole repairs had been submitted to the municipality but no response had been received. They are now promoting community-assisted pothole repairs, similar to initiatives in towns such as Bethal, Lichtenburg and Pretoria. In 2023, AfriForum used about 800 bags of tar to repair potholes on the R33 between Vryheid and Commondale, and a legal test case is underway to recover costs from the Department of Transport. Repairs are estimated at about R750 per square metre.

Residents and businesses indicated support for the initiative, with AfriForum encouraging members to contribute R15 per month and noting additional business support. Donations can be made via its Vryheid community page.

Ongoing community involvement

Van Aswegen confirmed they are not directly involved in the Vryheid Berg Nature Reserve but supports honorary wardens maintaining access, while individuals such as Frikkie Bekker and Nico Strydom may be contacted regarding related efforts.

The Vryheid branch has about 650 members and remains one of the stronger branches in KwaZulu-Natal, with recent achievements including community safety training, first aid and bleeding control training for 10 members, and producing the first female VOLKskiet instructors from Vryheid.

Call for continued community support

The meeting concluded with a call for small, consistent community contributions to collectively drive meaningful change.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.