By Nangamso Mabindla
9 September 2004

BUFFALO City made good on its promises to deliver services to its communities when it brought clean water to the 240 residents of the Esiqikeni informal settlement in Scenery Park.

The City gave new standpipe taps to the community and issued each household with a card that is inserted into the tap to release water.

Instead of having to buy water from the neighouring Phase 3 of Scenery Park, Esiqikeni residents now have access to their own supply, said ward councillor Vuyani Holiday. "You only come and insert your card here then water comes out."

Holiday said that the newly installed system would also help the municipality to regulate water usage.

Esiqikeni resident Nozuko Bolo said she was thankful to the municipality for finally realising their plight. "We used to pay anything from R30 to a R100 for water from the Phase 3 residents," she said.

Holiday commended Esiqikeni residents on their patience. "People think we're lying when we say these things take time. I'm happy that we've finally fulfilled this promise. But these people waited for us and their patience has paid dividends," Holiday said.

Other changes made in the area included the building of speed humps along the Scenery Park main road, after residents approached the municipality.

The informal settlement was close to the road and school children attending Zwelemfundo Higher Primary had to cross this road and were in danger from speeding cars.

Residents approached the municipality with the problem. "A few months ago a man was run over coming from church. He died on the scene. He was not the only one and we needed to act," Holiday said.

Schoolgirl Linda Mbewane, whose mother was also an accident victim, said she was happy the street was safer. "There are a few chances that we'd be run over by a speeding car when we go to school now. I feel safe already," she said.

Principal Nontsikelelo Ntshoko said the school had invited the City's traffic department to give youngsters tips of traffic safety. "Going to school in Esiqikeni has never been safer; we're grateful to the municipality," she said.