South Africa: Destitute after the deluge
31 Jan 2011 (South African Government News Service) – Roosters cluck, dogs dig through heaps of mud and garbage, music blasts from a distance, children’s cries and laughter can be heard from miles away and raw sewage trickles past the doorsteps of many dishevelled houses. This is the flood-hit Themba Khoza informal settlement, near Ivory Park, outside Tembisa. BuaNews senior reporter, Bathandwa Mbola, visited the impoverished community after heavy floods hit the area. To frail Adam Molapo, the settlement is the only place he calls home. The vile smell of sewage streaming past his house, although overpowering, doesn’t seem to bother him any longer. The settlement is still a home to the 92-year-old Adam and his 77-year-old wife Tryphoster. The two and many others in the settlement are victims of the heavy rains that have hit many parts of the country. When BuaNews visited the area a week after the flooding struck, residents were still mopping up their floors and repairing what was left of their shacks – cardboard walls are swollen and warped by the rainwater. And for the flood-hit Themba Khoza residents, the incessant rains have brought nothing but misery. Adam and Tryphoster say they were saved from drowning from the chest-high waters by their old metal coal-stove – it was the only stable furniture in the house – everything else was swept away. The two clung to their stove for almost 30 minutes before the South African Police Service rescued them. “As I am standing here I have nothing, we’ve lost everything. Our food, clothes are gone with the water,” says Adam, who has been a resident at the settlement for eight years. With his thick glasses perched on his head, his disgruntled face depicts a tale of despair, even behind his shy smile. His remaining teeth threaten to fall out when he smiles, making him look unintentionally comical. “Our government has forgotten us, my child … we have been promised to be moved a number of times, but nothing ever happens,” says Adam. … Another victim, mother of four, Andiswa Mbangatha, has survived several floods since 2006. Floods that hit the impoverished community last October took the life of her two year old daughter. “Since last year, these floods have been really terrible. They [floods] have no mercy but I guess we can’t predict or question God,” says the 28-year-old standing next to her shack built next to an open sewerage drain. …
By Eric Mashaba
31 Jan 2011 Polokwane – Limpopo farmers have suffered an estimated R6 million in damages as a result of overflowing farm dams. Provincial agriculture spokesperson, Kenny Mathivha, said most of the damage was recorded in the Mopani and Vhembe districts. “Farmers have recorded their losses and costs since the beginning of torrential rains around November last year. The Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts have had their share of [flooding], but to a lesser degree,” said Mathivha. Mathivha said the department’s technical advisory units that work on the ground had also been keeping track of damage incurred. “The breakdown of structures began showing in the past two weeks. We cannot give an exact figure of infrastructural damage to farm lands, but it goes beyond several millions of rands,” he said. Mathivha said the department would not be able to compensate farmers, but would help rebuild infrastructure through several of its programmes. Support would include the provision of fertiliser supplies and rebuilding pump stations and fences. …
