- Residents of Ezinkomeni in Lwandle now have access to tap water for the first time in five years, thanks to the installation of four communal taps by the City.
- Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso emphasized the importance of water as an essential service and urged the community to protect the new facilities.
- Local resident Nonzame Ngavuma praised Diniso’s efforts, stating that the community no longer has to fetch water from neighbouring areas.
Life will never be the same for the residents of Ezinkomeni, in Lwandle. They have access to tap water, for the first time in the five years of the informal settlement’s existence.
Last Friday, 4 October, the City opened four communal taps in the area.
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso said the installation of the taps had long been overdue.
He described water as one of the essential services. “When we install communal taps we are doing what we are supposed to do. We are not doing anyone a favour. We are bringing services to the people,” he said.
Diniso added that as a councillor he had an obligation to improve the quality of life of the people he serves.
He expressed his gratitude to Ward 86 residents for being patient and urged them to protect and treasure what they have as the City strives to assist its people.
“Sometimes residents think councillors don’t care about them or their grievances. The City has long procedures to follow and that doesn’t always help. That is why I thanked the Ezinkomeni shack dwellers for being disciplined. They could have taken to the streets as we normally see in other areas when people are also demanding services.”
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Diniso urged the community to protect their facilities from the criminals.
Resident Nonzame Ngavuma praised the councillor for successes forged on the community’s behalf and urged him to continue the fight.
“Diniso is a fighter. He is a man of his word. Today, we have water because of him. We thank him for everything he has done, not only in our area but in the whole ward. We see the difference ever since he came.”
Before, he added, the community would have to fetch water from neighbouring areas.
Ngavuma vowed to safeguard the communal taps from criminals.
Diniso said the City would soon install electricity in Enkanini informal settlement.
