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Where's
the water? Stories from Bulawayo - Page 4
Marko
Phiri and Chumile Jamela, Kubatana.net
November 2012
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Old Pumula Suburb
.
. . old everything
In this old township,
despite the water cuts, water can gush at any time from burst water
pipes. Families' jostle to scoop water into containers, causing
chaotic scenes.
Samson Ncube
(aged 24) is one of many unemployed youths, the type that
hangs out by the local shops waiting for someone to offer a R5 tip
for doing nothing. He sometimes hangs out at the local bowser "to
keep the peace." "Sometimes I have a whip to maintain
order at the bowser," he says. "There are people who
want to get water many times before others. Some have many members
in their family which gives them an unfair advantage and others
do not get any water," the self-appointed peacekeeper says.
Yet he knows he also risks a beating from irate residents as he
admits he has favoured others and has allowed them to queue jump.
"It's jungle out there," he says. "I can
tell you that all these beautiful girls you see are not having proper
baths. Some of them do not want to be seen queuing at the bowser.
Then you see them going to town, smelling of perfume, but without
having taken a bath," Ncube says rather cruelly.
Jane Mabizela
(aged 23) is still searching for a job after graduating
last year. I put it to her that as a young woman, how does she keep
clean in the absence of water. "Don't ask," she
laughs. "You learn to live within your means. The little water
available is enough, I don't ask for more because I know there
is nowhere to get it," Mabizela says. Does she go to the bowser?
"Of course I do, where else would I get the water? It's
not something to be ashamed of; after all, this thing has affected
everyone. Queuing here is not a sign of poverty." Yeah, I
agree the water crisis has become like taxes and deaths -
they do not spare anyone! "I am bit fortunate in that at home
it's only me and my mum, the rest of the guys are in SA, so
the little water we get is enough to last us until there is water
running from our taps," she says.
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