Residents of Tshiame B, near Harrismith in the Eastern Free State, have been living with the stench of raw sewage for over 30 years. The constant flow of human excrement and foul-smelling water through their yards and streets has become a daily struggle for the community. Despite reporting the issue to the local municipality multiple times, residents are left to deal with the sewage spillages on their own, as the problem only stops temporarily after being fixed.
Manthabiseng Mdakane, a long-time resident of Tshiame, recounts the decades-long battle with the sewage spillages. “Since the installation of the pipes in 1995, I have been fighting with the sewage spillages. Every day, I have to clean my yard because the dirt from the mining hole comes straight into the yard,” she explains.
The dire living conditions have taken a toll on the health of residents. Manthodi Tsotetsi believes that her mother’s death in 2021 was a result of the constant exposure to sewage spillages. “She became sick and complained about something in her chest. She was inhaling that sewage smell every day because she had tried to redirect the spillages from coming into the house,” Tsotetsi shares.
Maleshoane Mohapi, an environmental health officer, warns of the health hazards posed by sewage spills. The presence of toxic gases, bacteria, genotoxic agents, and hazardous organic compounds in sewage can lead to various health problems, including infection, inflammation, skin irritation, respiratory disorders, and even cancer. The contamination of freshwater systems by sewage poses a significant risk to human health, resulting in waterborne diseases that can be fatal.
During a visit to Tshiame Township, Health-e News observed sewage running into yards and community members trying to manage the grey water near their homes. Tebogo Radebe, acting communications manager at Maluti-a-Phofung Water, acknowledges the frequent blockages in the sewer network due to underdesign. The sewer network in the area is smaller than recommended, leading to recurring spillages.
Radebe urges residents to refrain from depositing foreign materials into drains and toilets to reduce blockages. The municipality is working on refurbishing and upgrading the sewage system in Tshiame to address the ongoing issue. Despite the efforts to fix the problem, residents remain skeptical about a long-term solution to the sewage spillages that have plagued their community for decades. In today’s digital age, social media marketing has become an essential tool for businesses to reach their target audience and promote their products or services. Facebook, in particular, is a popular platform that offers a wide range of marketing opportunities for brands looking to increase their online presence.
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