A poignant story of struggle and resilience came to a tragic conclusion when 67-year-old Madala Lekgetho Mofokeng lost his life while carrying water back to his home in Kgabisi Village, QwaQwa, on October 30. His passing highlights the dire water crisis affecting many rural communities in South Africa.
Madala, known affectionately as a community elder, had to walk nearly 5 kilometers to a distant borehole to collect water for his family. The village has faced severe water shortages, with taps running dry since election day in May 2024. On that fateful day, Madala was pushing a wheelbarrow filled with buckets of water when he suddenly collapsed, witnessed by his wife, 69-year-old Gogo Magauta Mofokeng.
In a heart-wrenching interview, Gogo Magauta described the moment her husband died. “It was only his second trip for water that day,” she said, visibly shaken. “We must wake up early every morning to fetch water, a harsh reminder of our reality.” She recounted how Madala made a strange sound before falling, and despite her efforts to help him, he tragically passed away in her arms. “I’m still traumatized,” she added. “It was an unbelievable moment.”
Community leader Molelle Mokoena emphasized the ongoing struggle in Kgabisi, revealing that residents have endured water scarcity for nearly six months. “The last time we had water was during the elections. Now, we have to walk far to fetch it from a borehole. We last saw our ward councillor during the election campaigns. The loss of our elder is deeply saddening,” he lamented.
The water crisis in Kgabisi is linked to vandalism at the Pereng Pump Station, as noted by Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality spokesperson, Tebogo Radebe. “Several villages, including Kgabisi and Baghdad, have been affected due to repeated vandalism at the station over the past three months,” she explained. “We expect to receive new equipment soon.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader in the Free State, Dr. Roy Jankielsohn, has raised concerns about the extensive water crisis in the region, lodging a complaint with the Human Rights Commission. He highlighted the struggles of residents who often rely on groundwater, springs, or rivers for their water supply, or must walk long distances to collect it. Many also face exorbitant costs from private water suppliers, charging around R600 for 1,000 liters, which is a significant burden for families living on social grants.
“While Maluti-a-Phofung Water provides three tankers to transport around 30,000 liters of water daily to schools and hospitals, residential areas remain neglected,” Jankielsohn stated. He expressed hope that upcoming reports would hold those responsible for the crisis accountable.
The death of Madala Lekgetho Mofokeng serves as a tragic reminder of the urgent need for sustainable water solutions in rural areas, highlighting the broader implications of neglect and infrastructure failure on vulnerable communities. His story resonates with many who continue to face the daily struggle for access to this essential resource.