DELPORT, EKURHULENI — The stark reality of the Ekurhuleni water crisis has become the defining issue for residents of the Delport informal settlement as they participate in the final 2026 Local Government Elections voter registration weekend. While thousands of polling stations across South Africa are open for citizens to verify their details and update their voting addresses ahead of the November 4 polls, the community in Ward 93 is primarily focused on securing basic human necessities.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) noted that the initial registration drive was highly successful, drawing nearly three million South Africans to verify their information, with a notably high turnout among the youth. However, as the final window opens, the focus in Delport shifts from civic duty to daily survival.
Home to approximately 4,000 people, this informal settlement is grappling with severe infrastructure deficits. According to locals, the community’s seven communal taps are perpetually dry. To cope, the Ekurhuleni municipality has outsourced a private water tanker to service the area daily. Despite the daily visits, residents maintain that the water provided falls drastically short of the community’s needs.
The lack of running water has triggered a secondary sanitation emergency. Observations on the ground reveal that women are forced to wash their clothes beneath a bridge, placing them in direct proximity to raw sewage and severe health hazards. Furthermore, the settlement relies entirely on mobile toilets. The ratio is heavily strained, with five families sharing a single unit. Locals report that these facilities are rarely serviced, falling far short of the mandated weekly cleaning schedule.
The pressing daily struggles have created a disconnect regarding the electoral process for some. When questioned about their presence at the registration sites, several community members admitted they did not fully understand the purpose of the weekend’s drive.
Nevertheless, the democratic spirit persists for others. One local resident confirmed his successful registration, expressing a steadfast hope that the upcoming elections will finally bring the tangible service delivery changes his community desperately needs.
