JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — Residents of the Golden View informal settlement in the south of Johannesburg have blocked a major highway, escalating a protest over a severe lack of basic services and a persistent water crisis. Now in its second day, the Golden View informal settlement protest highlights the community’s urgent demand for clean running water, sanitation, and electricity after enduring six years of unfulfilled municipal promises.
The demonstration, which began yesterday with grievances taken to the streets, has grown to include highway blockages. While the crowd on the ground appeared relatively small, residents have issued a firm threat to continue blocking the highway if their longstanding service delivery demands are not met by the City of Johannesburg.
A resident spokesperson for the community explained that the settlement was established in 2019, but the area has been entirely neglected since then.
“Since 2019, we haven’t received any of our service delivery. We don’t have water; it’s been six years we don’t have water in this area. We don’t have sanitation and other things that the community needs to use,” the resident spokesperson stated. “The City of Johannesburg has been promising to help us, but they have failed. Since 2019 until today, we haven’t got any services.”
At the core of the residents’ demands is access to clean, running water. Community members, holding placards listing their grievances, are specifically demanding the intervention of the MMC for Human Settlements.
According to the resident spokesperson, the MMC for Human Settlements, visited the settlement four months ago to assess the living conditions. Following the visit, the MMC acknowledged the settlement’s existence and promised to deliver a water truck and prepare tanks for the community the very next day. However, those promises remain unfulfilled.
Frustrated by the broken promises, the community has adopted a steadfast stance. When asked if the protests would continue until an official addresses them, the resident spokesperson confirmed their determination: “Yes, definitely. We will protest at your office until you come, even if it will take a year, a month, whatever. We will come to you.”
The MMC for Human Settlements was reportedly unavailable for immediate engagement at the Golden View site, as he was informed to be visiting another informal settlement. Despite his absence, the residents remain hopeful that they will soon secure an opportunity to formally engage with him regarding their six-year struggle for basic human dignity and service delivery.
