DRIEHOEK, NORTH WEST – For over three decades, the small village of Driehoek, located outside Mahikeng in the North West province, has endured severe municipal neglect. With a population of fewer than 750 residents, the community remains without fundamental basic services, prompting growing skepticism about whether the upcoming local elections will yield tangible improvements from the Mahikeng Local Municipality.
An elderly resident, who has lived in the village for decades, highlighted the dire living conditions faced by the community. The household lacks both electricity and running water, forcing a reliance on paraffin for cooking, which causes severe eye irritation and has left a home garden dead. Accessing healthcare remains a critical challenge due to the significant distance to the nearest clinic. Despite these hardships, the resident has registered to vote, expressing cautious hope that the ballot might finally secure electricity, water, and a structurally sound home to replace a deteriorating shack.
The absence of educational and social infrastructure further compounds the village’s struggles. Residents note that while a plot of land has been designated for a school, no development has occurred, leaving children without local educational facilities. This lack of opportunity has left many young people disillusioned. Local youth report that even those who have matriculated with bachelor’s passes remain unemployed at home, unable to access universities or colleges. Furthermore, the absence of recreational or sports facilities has contributed to increased substance abuse among young residents who feel they have nothing better to do.
Deplorable road conditions exacerbate the daily hardships faced by the community. Residents emphasize that the current government has been in power for 35 years without delivering basic infrastructure. The roads are in such a deteriorated state that standard vehicles, including buses and ambulances, cannot navigate them. Consequently, families are forced to use tractors or donkey carts to transport deceased loved ones to the cemetery, and emergency medical services are unable to reach the sick in a timely manner.
As the elections approach, the incoming councillor will face a mammoth task. Restoring the community’s confidence in local government and rectifying thirty years of systemic neglect will require immediate and decisive action to bring basic services, functional infrastructure, and hope back to Driehoek.
