More than 30 years into South Africa’s democracy, some of the country’s most rural communities are still forced to swim across dangerous and fast-flowing rivers to access basic healthcare.
A group of frustrated residents has built a makeshift bridge over the swollen Tubatse River, linking the villages of Mafarafara and Ga-Taung near Burgersfort in Limpopo.
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It has been almost two weeks since the bridge was constructed using three wooden logs to support the structure’s foundation, corrugated iron sheets to create a walking surface and sticks that serve as handrails.
FETAKGOMO TUBATSE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
The bridge is located in the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, which Eyewitness News has reported extensively on over the past two years.
The municipality is among 60 across the country whose grant funding was recently temporarily withheld by the National Treasury.
The National Treasury said the move is aimed at enforcing fiscal discipline and compelling municipalities to address problems such as unauthorised, irregular and wasteful expenditure.
The municipality has also been plagued by illegal chrome mining, with residents in areas such as Atok digging beneath their own homes in search of the valuable mineral.
WHY WAS THE BRIDGE BUILT?
Mafarafara is a small village that lacks some of the most basic services, including access to healthcare facilities. The nearest clinic is in Ga-Taung village, just across the Tubatse River.
The Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s failure to build a bridge prompted residents to take matters into their own hands to construct their own crossing to access the clinic.
For decades, residents have relied on what they call Sewaiwai, a makeshift raft used to travel between Mafarafara and Ga-Taung.
A group of frustrated residents has built a makeshift bridge over the swollen Tubatse River, linking the villages of Mafarafara and Ga-Taung near Burgersfort in Limpopo. Picture: Simpiwe Nkosi/EWN
IS THE BRIDGE SAFE?
When Eyewitness News attempted to cross the poorly built bridge, the first thing that stood out was the structure swaying from side to side with every uneven step.
Each heavy step caused the bridge to bounce up and down, while the force of the rushing river could be felt just beneath the walking surface.
Thin wooden poles have been used as handrails, but they appear too fragile to support a firm grip, exposing residents to the risk of falling into the river.
RESIDENTS SPEAK
Mukgethwa Malatji, one of the men who built the bridge, said they are aware of the danger but believe the structure is still safer than forcing people to swim across the river.
“We are aware that the bridge could potentially collapse, but I’m a builder, and I know how to prevent that from happening. So we’re here 24/7 to make sure that nothing of that sort happens.”
But the bridge is not open for free use.
“We make people pay R20 for two trips across the bridge because we also need to put food on the table. We did not build this bridge for free. It pains us to see people swimming across the river, but they would have to pay us if the want to use our bridge,” he said.
Mothers, elderly residents and the sick have no choice but to pay to cross the unsafe bridge to reach the Ga-Taung Clinic.
A group of frustrated residents has built a makeshift bridge over the swollen Tubatse River, linking the villages of Mafarafara and Ga-Taung near Burgersfort in Limpopo. Picture: Simpiwe Nkosi/EWN
Elderly resident Ronald Malatji said many people know that the bridge is a disaster waiting to happen, but they have no alternative if they need to access healthcare services.
“Pregnant mothers use this bridge whenever they need to rush to the clinic. What pains me is that if the bridge collapses while a pregnant woman is crossing, we would lose two lives,” he said.
The bridge looks fragile, with the raging river brushing against the wooden logs beneath its surface.
But 55-year-old Nelly Magale said that despite its shaky condition, the bridge is still far better than having to swim across.
“I’m afraid every time I have to cross this bridge, but I do it either way because it’s the only way to get to the clinic,” the elderly resident added.
A group of frustrated residents has built a makeshift bridge over the swollen Tubatse River, linking the villages of Mafarafara and Ga-Taung near Burgersfort in Limpopo. Picture: Simpiwe Nkosi/EWN
MUNICIPALITY’S RESPONSE
The Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality said that it is aware of the difficulties in accessing the local clinic, but added that the matter has been escalated to the provincial government.
“The municipality has a plan in place to address the condition of internal roads across all wards, and that the plan will be implemented to improve rural access and mobility,” the municipality said in response to Eyewitness News’ questions.
However, the municipality has not responded to Eyewitness News’ questions about whether it plans to dismantle the makeshift bridge.
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Alpha Ramushwana
www.ewn.co.za
