In Conversation With King Bongani Ramontja (Chairperson – Soil of Africa)

Access to clean and reliable water remains one of the most pressing service delivery challenges in many parts of South Africa, particularly within metros like Tshwane. Recent oversight action announced by Soil of Africa has brought renewed attention to the conditions faced by residents in areas such as Mamelodi East, Ikageng, and Pienaarspoort, where communities continue to rely heavily on water tankers. The intervention aims to assess the efficiency, reliability, and fairness of water tanker operations, which have increasingly become a substitute for consistent infrastructure-based water supply. While tankers are intended as temporary relief measures, their prolonged use raises serious concerns about the sustainability of water provision and the state of municipal infrastructure. Reports from affected communities paint a troubling picture. Residents in both formal and informal settlements experience prolonged water outages, sometimes going days or even weeks without supply. In some cases, allegations have emerged that water—meant to be freely provided—is being sold, further compounding inequality and raising questions about oversight and accountability. Beyond water access, the situation highlights broader service delivery failures, including poor sanitation management. Communities report inadequate servicing of mobile toilets, creating severe health risks and conditions that undermine basic human dignity. Instagram · Twitter