Residents left to plead for water at school gates
Without running water, residents of one rural Mpumalanga community say they are left to beg for water at the gates of a local school where they say security guards often turn them away empty handed.
Our Health
OurHealth is Health-e’s network of community journalists based in rural villages and townships across South Africa. We bring you grassroots reporting from the people who cover the communities they live in.
Read More » Residents left to plead for water at school gates
Dirty water deliveries for Limpopo villages
At least two villages in Limpopo’s Mutale Local Municipality depend on municipal water trucks to survive but now villagers are claiming the trucks are delivering dirty water.
Municipality installs pump but community can’t foot electrical bill
Residents of the small, rural Mpumalanga town of Vezinyawo said they were told to pay R2 to keep a municipal water pump working after the municipality would not pay R200 for prepaid electricity, residents allege.
R300 million slated to improve Madibeng Municipal water
Local Ward 3 Councillor Susan Nthangeni says R300 million has been allocated to fix local municipal pipes and boreholes following deadly service delivery protests in April.
Water shortage sparks diarrhoea cases
A recent water shortage in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape and surrounding areas is being blamed for at least four cases of diarrhoea among local children.
Water crisis looms in Kestell, Free State
With the construction of a promised dam delayed, residents of Kestell, Free State say that the lack of water risks their lives and their livelihoods.
Bethlehem informal residents beg water off neighbours
Residents of Silahliwe informal settlement outside Bethlehem share one working toilet for about every 900 people. According to local officials, securing access to water and sanitation may mean that about a third of the settlement’s residents will have to move.
Ambulances scarce in rural Eastern Cape
When emergencies happen, rural communities outside Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape say there is no one to call – and with disastrous results.
East Rand community fears for orphaned children
Community members say they have tried for years to get the Department of Social Development to assist a child-headed family in Buhle Park east of Johannesburg. Now, they fear for the family’s safety.
Rape statistics disputed
As 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence ends, activist Rochelle Pimentel says frequently cited rape states are wrong.
Poor care, ambulance shortage blamed for toddler’s death
Yolisa Ngeseki alleges poor care and a shortage of ambulance led to the death of her 3-year-old girl after she contracted Hepatitis B.
Local research finds traditional medicine use prevalent among pregnant women
With high levels of traditional medicine use among pregnant women at Bertha Gxowa Hospital outside Johannesburg, traditional medicine should always be a topic of discussion between health workers and patients, says one doctor.
Treatment Action Campaign pickets Mpumalanga Clinic
To mark World AIDS Day, the Treatment Action Campaign’s (TAC) Mpumalanga branch picketed outside a local clinic as the AIDS lobby continues to complain about poor service delivery.
HIV activists reflect on 10 years of treatment
As government officials took to podiums nationwide to deliver World AIDS Day speeches, HIV activists held a much quieter gathering in Johannesburg to reflect on 10 years of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
South Africa attempts to set new HIV testing world record
Tshwane health services set an ambitious goal to test more than 10,000 people in one day ahead of World AIDS Day and break the international world record.