The Forgotten Informal Settlement: Marry Me’s Struggle for Basic Services
In the bustling city of Tshwane, nestled amidst the towering skyscrapers and well-paved roads, lies a forgotten community – the Marry Me informal settlement. Once promised a future of formalisation and access to essential services, the residents of this settlement now find themselves abandoned, left to grapple with the harsh realities of life without the basic necessities of water, sanitation, and electricity.
The story of Marry Me’s plight began in 2015 when the first occupants, predominantly young and unmarried individuals, sought refuge on the mountain slopes. Drawn by the promise of a new beginning, they erected their humble shacks, hoping that the government would soon step in to provide the necessary infrastructure and support. However, as the years passed, their dreams of a better life have remained largely unfulfilled.
Broken Promises and the Struggle for Formalisation
In August 2022, GroundUp reported that the residents of Marry Me had been told by their Ward 93 Councillor, Rabasotho Masupha (ANC), that they would “soon” receive essential services such as water and sanitation from the City of Tshwane. Masupha had even stated that the formalisation process had already commenced, raising the hopes of the settlement’s occupants.
However, this promise has now been shattered, as the City of Tshwane has categorically denied any plans to formalise the settlement. In a recent statement, City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo made it clear that the Marry Me settlement is located on private land and therefore, the City is not obligated to provide anything more than “rudimentary services” in line with its constitutional obligations.
“The City only provides ‘rudimentary services’ to informal settlements on state land in line with its constitutional obligations,” Mashigo said, effectively dismissing the residents’ pleas for basic amenities.
Living in the Shadows of Neglect
As GroundUp’s recent visit to Marry Me revealed, the conditions in the settlement are nothing short of deplorable. Mounds of garbage litter the informal dump sites, while the dirt roads are heavily eroded, making mobility a constant challenge. Residents are forced to rely on unreliable and illegal water and electricity connections, leaving them vulnerable to the whims of nature and the ever-present threat of disconnection.
Juliet Mohlakoana, a resident who moved to Marry Me in 2019 with her boyfriend and two children, eloquently captures the daily struggles of the community: “We need services from the municipality even though this area is not formalised,” she pleads.
The settlement’s precarious location on a mountain slope, prone to harsh winters and flash floods, further exacerbates the residents’ suffering. The threat of snakes and other natural hazards looms large, posing a constant danger to the well-being of the community.
The Ongoing Plea for Relocation
Faced with these dire circumstances, the occupiers of Marry Me have turned to the City, pleading for relocation to a safer and more suitable environment. They recognize that the current site is unsuitable for human habitation, and they long for the basic amenities that residents of formal settlements take for granted.
Councillor Masupha, however, seems to be backtracking on his previous statements, now denying that he had promised any immediate formalisation or service delivery. “Formalisation is a very long process, but we are pushing it,” he told GroundUp, contradicting his earlier assurances.
This reversal of stance has left the residents of Marry Me feeling betrayed and abandoned, their hopes for a better future dashed by the very officials tasked with advocating for their needs.
The Way Forward: Advocacy, Collaboration, and Accountability
The plight of the Marry Me settlement highlights the urgent need for a renewed focus on community engagement, advocacy, and accountability in the delivery of essential services. As a seasoned expert in water and sanitation services, it is clear that the City of Tshwane must be held accountable for its broken promises and its failure to uphold the basic rights of its citizens.
Through collaborative efforts between Joint Action for Water and other civil society organizations, the residents of Marry Me must be empowered to advocate for their rightful access to water, sanitation, and electricity. Engaging with local government officials, organizing community-led initiatives, and leveraging media attention can be effective strategies in amplifying the voices of the marginalized and demanding tangible action.
Moreover, the City of Tshwane must be urged to prioritize the formalisation and development of informal settlements, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of equitable access to essential services. Innovative approaches, such as participatory planning and the integration of community-based solutions, can help bridge the gap between government policies and the lived realities of the residents.
Conclusion: A Call for Inclusive and Sustainable Development
The story of Marry Me settlement is a sobering reminder that the fight for basic rights and dignified living conditions is far from over in many parts of South Africa. As a Joint Action for Water expert, I call upon the City of Tshwane, as well as other local authorities, to heed the pleas of their citizens and to prioritize the needs of informal settlements in their development plans.
Only through a genuine commitment to inclusive and sustainable development can we truly achieve the vision of a just and equitable society, where no one is left behind. The residents of Marry Me deserve to have their basic needs met, their voices heard, and their hopes for a better future realized. It is time for the City of Tshwane to make good on its promises and to ensure that the forgotten communities within its borders are no longer condemned to a life of neglect and deprivation.
