POLOKWANE – “Where did you get the water to fill it?”

The opening of the Nirvana swimming pool in Polokwane on Thursday has sparked a wave of public outrage, as residents continue to suffer from chronic water shortages.

The Polokwane Municipality’s Facebook page has been flooded with criticism, with many questioning the municipality’s priorities.

Residents have endured months of inconsistent water supply due to infrastructure challenges, including the aging Specon pipeline and disruptions at the Olifantspoort and Ebenezer schemes.

While Lepelle Northern Water recently announced the early completion of repairs at the two schemes, these efforts have not translated into a stable water supply for many households.

Adding to the public discontent is a broader frustration with the municipality’s perceived insensitivity.

Just days before the pool’s opening, residents threatened to boycott Polokwane’s annual festive lights ceremony, criticizing the city for spending on “celebrations” while communities lack basic services like water.

Read more: Polokwane residents threaten festive lights event boycott

One protester remarked, “They have money for lights and pools, but we can’t even bathe our children. It’s a disgrace.”

On social media, residents vented their frustrations, with one resident stating, “How do they justify filling a pool when families can’t even flush toilets or cook? It’s an insult.”

Another expressed outrage, adding, “We celebrate a few hours of water like a luxury, yet resources are used for leisure.”

Businesses, schools, and vulnerable households bear the brunt of the crisis, with some areas relying solely on erratic water tanker deliveries​, while others have spent thousands on buying water.

Meanwhile, Polokwane Mayor John Mpe said the pool is part of a broader initiative to improve community facilities and enhance quality of life.

Mpe, at the opening, said the facility is more than just a swimming pool, but a space that embodies the spirit of Nirvana as a place of joy, harmony and shared progress.

“Today, we are turning the page. We are ushering in a new era of functionality, accessibility and municipal accountability,” he said.

The Nirvana pool controversy and the festive lights boycott highlight broader dissatisfaction with local governance in Polokwane.

While infrastructure upgrades, such as the completed scheme repairs, aim to provide long-term relief, the immediate crisis remains unresolved, leaving many residents disillusioned​.