Clairwood residents feel ‘forgotten’ amid decade of service delivery failures

LIFELONG residents of Clairwood, south of Durban, are facing deteriorating infrastructure, blocked sewers, damaged roads, and nonfunctional street lights.

- NADIA KHAN

RAVIN Brijlal, the public relations officer for the Clairwood Ratepayers and Residents Association, at what was once a community park. AN INCOMPLETE manhole poses a threat to pedestrians and motorists. A VACANT municipal land which has not been maintained.

(NADIA KHAN)

The residents, many of whose families arrived in South Africa as indentured labourers, and later settled in Clairwood, said the area had deteriorated following the influx of trucking and other illegal businesses, together with the failure of the eThekwini Municipality to ensure regular repairs to infrastructure and general upkeep.

Among the issues are unrepaired burst water pipes resulting in stagnating water, blocked and overflowing sewer lines, damaged pavements and exposed manholes, potholes and sinkholes, unkempt verges, and nonfunctional street lights.

As local government elections approach this year, community members share their experiences of neglect and their dwindling hopes for meaningful change in this once-vibrant area.

Nafiza Alli, 57, of Sirdar Road, said Clairwood was once a vibrant and safe community, with no service delivery issues.

She said her parents moved to the area in 1967.

“I have lived here my entire life, and not once did I ever think of leaving. But as I get older, I just want peace, and to live in a clean and safe environment. Back in the day, we could walk on the pavements.

“Now we either have to walk through a 'bush' instead of a pavement, or walk on the road and risk being mowed down by a speeding truck. Every day, I pray for safety as I walk my grandchildren to school.”

Alli said another issue was the power surges following electricity outages.

“When the electricity is restored, we have surges that even burst light globes. Last month, my washing machine caught on fire, and my new hairdryer started smoking.