Community in eMbalenhle builds footbridge

In a striking display of resilience, residents of the Azania Phase 3 informal settlement have come together to construct a footbridge over the Welas River, a vital link enabling access to essential amenities in eMbalenhle.

This grassroots project arose from the urgent need for safe passage, particularly for children who have faced school disruptions due to flooding and unsafe crossing conditions.

As community leaders assert, their efforts highlight both the lack of support from local authorities and a desperate quest for solutions amid ongoing neglect.

The initiative to build the footbridge was spearheaded by Paulos Thwala, a respected community leader in Azania.

“Our first bridge was destroyed by heavy rain last month, leaving our children unable to attend school,” Thwala remarked.

“For weeks, residents had to risk their safety crossing the river using a crumbling structure. We decided to pool our resources to buy timber and cement, and we built this footbridge ourselves.”

This latest structure is a response to the limitations of the existing Welas footbridge, which is located a significant distance from Azania Phase 3.

“The Welas footbridge was meant for the nearby community only, and it takes about an hour for our members to reach it. We saw no need for our community and our children to walk that distance when we could create a shortcut for them to access their daily needs.

“Residents of Azania face numerous hardships, including a lack of electricity. This footbridge also allows our community to cross the river to charge their cellphones and return home safely,” said Thwala.

Nhlanhla Nkosi, another community member, echoed Thwala’s sentiments, emphasising the dire need for a more robust and safer structure.

“We are always contributing money to build our own footbridge, but when it rains, it gets flooded. We know the bridges we create are not safe, especially for our children who cross them to go to school. We have no choice but to help them cross, despite the dangers,” said Nkosi.

Their plight highlights a broader issue of systemic neglect faced by informal settlements. Thwala pointed out that last year, a young boy nearly drowned while trying to cross the river.

Fortunately, some community members managed to rescue him. This incident underscores the urgent need for a permanent and safe footbridge.

“Despite our proactive measures, as residents, we feel overlooked by the Govan Mbeki Municipality. It feels as though we’re not regarded as part of the community. We are systematically excluded from community participation, such as Integrated Development Plans and other municipal development efforts.

“We’ve decided to take matters into our own hands to illustrate this neglect. While we have demonstrated remarkable spirit and resourcefulness, the precariousness of our footbridge poses ongoing risks,” said Thwala.

Thwala also expressed concern for the safety of children and the elderly, noting the pressing need for external assistance.

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“We urgently need help from businesses and organisations to build a strong, safe walkway bridge, as the ones we construct pose daily hazards.”

As the community of Azania Phase 3 continues to advocate for safer infrastructure, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by many in informal settlements across South Africa.

It raises critical questions about equitable access to public services and the responsibilities of local authorities to engage with and support all communities.

“Our struggle for basic safety and access to amenities calls for urgent attention from local authorities, businesses, and civic organisations,” said Thwala.

As they continue to forge ahead, the residents hope that their voices will lead to tangible improvements in their living conditions and the safety of their children.

Meanwhile, Donald Green, media liaison and content development officer for the municipality is urging community members to use designated footbridges that were constructed to allow safe passage over river streams.

Green emphasised that community members must refrain from erecting illegal, unsafe footbridges that could put residents’ lives at risk.

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