When the taps run dry: How water throttling is affecting the Thabong community

By Mpai Nkali

Residents of Thabong in Welkom are facing a serious and ongoing water crisis that is deeply affecting daily life in our community. Every evening at around 6PM, the Matjhabeng Municipality shuts off the water supply, only restoring it the next morning between 6AM-7AM. According to them, the reason for doing so is because most of the households have defective toilets that are leaking throughout day and night without being attended to, resulting in excessive water loss. This routine disruption is inconvenient, harmful to the community and deeply unjust. Water is a basic human need and a fundamental right. 

My family, like many families, has made arrangements to mitigate this inconvenience by filling enough water in containers before 6PM every day. We constantly have to ensure that we have a good water supply in containers before 6PM which takes up time and effort. But sometimes, the water runs out overnight. When this happens, our access to hygiene, health and dignity is interrupted. 

Mourning without water

Going without water for an entire night is deeply frustrating, but the impact becomes even more severe during important cultural and family events. In many households, especially during times of mourning, preparations take place overnight. For a funeral, families often gather in large numbers, food is prepared through the night, and cultural practices, such as slaughtering a cow, require significant amounts of water.

Without access to water, these essential activities become extremely difficult. Basic needs like cooking, cleaning, and even using the toilet turn into major challenges, especially with many people in the household. The situation disrupts practical arrangements but, additionally, it adds emotional strain during an already sensitive time.

As one family member shared, “It’s already a painful time for us, and not having water makes everything harder. We have people coming to support us, but we can’t even provide the basics. It feels overwhelming.”

A neighbour echoed similar concerns: “When there’s no water, the whole community feels it. But during a funeral, it’s even worse because families are trying to come together and honour their loved one properly. Without water, it becomes a struggle instead of a time of unity.”

When the municipality shuts off the water, it is not just a minor inconvenience. Water is essential for dignity, cultural practices, and supporting one another during life’s most difficult moments. Access to water is about equity, dignity, and reliability making sure that everyone has what they need to live, gather, and care for one another without unnecessary hardship.

This ongoing issue raises serious concerns about the well-being of residents. It is unacceptable that a community must endure such conditions daily. 

Water justice now!

We call on the municipality to take immediate action to ensure uninterrupted water supply.Our community needs water justice now. 

Water justice would mean that no household ever has to go through the stress and indignity of living without water, especially during critical moments like funerals or large family gatherings. It would ensure that water is reliable, clean, and accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or their income level.

Water justice would mean communities being able to depend on a consistent water supply, where outages are rare, clearly communicated, and resolved quickly. When interruptions do happen, there would be immediate support, such as water tankers or alternative sources so that daily life and cultural practices are not disrupted.

Water justice would mean that the voices of residents are heard and respected. Communities should be informed, involved in decision-making, and treated with dignity when they raise concerns. No one should have to beg for a basic human necessity.

As one resident might put it: “Water justice means we can live our lives without fear of taps running dry especially when we need it most. It’s about being treated fairly and having our basic needs met with respect.”

Mpai Nkali is an environmental justice activist and the founder of Tshwaraganang Basadi Environmental Justice Network. She lives in Thabong, Welkom.