Azania residents continue to use makeshift bridge after pleas to GMM are ignored

Residents of the Azania informal settlement decided to build a makeshift footbridge after repeated pleas for help went unanswered.

Community members said the nearest official footbridge at Wellas, near Sasol, is too far from their homes, forcing children to walk between 2km and 3km just to reach it.

In total, learners would have to walk about 5km daily to and from their schools, a distance, residents say, that is unsafe and unreasonable for young children.

Sindi Mthombeni, a local, said she accompanies her two children, aged six and nine, every morning to ensure they safely cross the community-built bridge. She also waits for them in the afternoon so they can return home without risk.

“We heard that the Govan Mbeki Municipality said we must use the Wellas footbridge, but have they seen how far it is from our homes?” asked Mthombeni.

“Even as an adult, it is difficult to walk that far if I want to go to the mall. What about young children?” asked Mthombeni.
Mthombeni added that using the Wellas bridge is impractical.

“To show how far the places are where we have to access basic needs, some residents use taxis to reach services. We cannot afford to pay for transport daily for our children to go to school. We were shocked by the municipality’s response that we must use the Wellas bridge,” she said.

She is also frustrated with politicians who, she claimed, make promises during elections but disappear afterward.

“Before the 2021 local government elections, politicians flooded our area. We raised the issue of a footbridge, but after we voted, they acted as if they knew nothing about our problem,” said Mthombeni.

Although residents admitted they are not experts or professionals in bridge construction, they say the structure has made a significant difference in their daily lives.

“We are impressed with what we did for ourselves and our children so that they can reach school and other necessities,” she said.

Mthombeni said, however, that safety remains a concern, and the bridge, built primarily from wood, poses risks. Another concern is the rainfall, as they saw flooding in the province on the news.

“We know that if it rains for days, our footbridge might flooded, as it is built from wood. We pray it does not get flooded when our children are crossing because that can put them in danger,” said Mthombeni.

Mthombeni said they are still appealing to Good Samaritans to help build them a sustainable and safe footbridge to avoid tragedy.

The municipality previously urged the community to use designated footbridges built to allow safe passage over streams. It emphasised that residents must not erect illegal, unsafe footbridges that could put lives at risk.