Clairwood residents feel 'forgotten' amid decade of service delivery failures

LIFELONG residents of Clairwood, south of Durban, are facing deteriorating infrastructure, blocked sewers, damaged roads, and non-functional street lights.

The residents, many of whose families arrived in South Africa as indentured labourers, and later settled in Clairwood, said the area had deteriorated following the influx of trucking and other illegal businesses, together with the failure of the eThekwini Municipality to ensure regular repairs to infrastructure and general upkeep. 

Among the issues are unrepaired burst water pipes resulting in stagnating water, blocked and overflowing sewer lines, damaged pavements and exposed manholes, potholes and sinkholes, unkempt verges, and non-functional street lights.

As local government elections approach this year, community members share their experiences of neglect and their dwindling hopes for meaningful change in this once-vibrant area.

Nafiza Alli, 57, of Sirdar Road, said Clairwood was once a vibrant and safe community, with no service delivery issues. 

She said her parents moved to the area in 1967. 

“I have lived here my entire life, and not once did I ever think of leaving. But as I get older, I just want peace, and to live in a clean and safe environment. Back in the day, we could walk on the pavements. Now we either have to walk through a 'bush' instead of a pavement, or walk on the road and risk being mowed down by a speeding truck. Every day, I pray for safety as I walk my grandchildren to school.”

Alli said another issue was the power surges following electricity outages. 

“When the electricity is restored, we have surges that even burst light globes. Last month, my washing machine caught on fire, and my new hairdryer started smoking. The municipality says we can claim, but you must have receipts. My washing machine is 10 years old, and still in good condition. How do I claim as it has been so many years, and I don’t have a receipt? I also cannot afford to buy a new washing machine or any other appliances. My other fear is that during one of these power surges, an appliance can catch on fire, and spread through my home.”

Alli said due to the lack of maintenance to the drainage system, her yard and home were flooded during heavy rains. 

“Over the years, we have had several public meetings with the officials from the municipality. The promises are always the same. Each time I have complained about the blocked manholes on my property. When it rains, my home is flooded. They have taken my number and promised to send a team to come check. It has been six months since the last meeting, and I am still waiting.”  

She said projects were started, but not completed. 

“They dig up the roads and then just disappear. They have been building a manhole on one road.  It has been months now and it has not been completed. We fear one of these days someone will fall inside while walking, or a motorist who doesn't know the area may just drive into it as it is at the corner of the road.” 

Alli said she would still vote. 

“The same promises are made every time there is an upcoming election. While we realise it is all just a ploy to get votes, there is still a bit of hope that we will get a councillor who really does care for the people, and wants to help them. 

“However, we want the municipality to answer what they are doing with the money they receive from ratepayers in Clairwood, as we are not receiving any service delivery. Why should we pay for services we don’t receive? We rather use that same money to try and keep our community clean,” she said. 

Riaz Sayed, 46, of Houghton Road, said he had been reporting a pothole near his home for the past year. 

“This small pothole will soon become a sinkhole. The municipality workers previously came out, but I don’t know what repairs they did as the pothole returned. With the heavy weight of the trucks driving over it, it has just grown. Now it seems there is a pipe leak, and there is fresh water flowing on to the road. It is frustrating, as we are not getting any joy when we report these things. We are just given reference numbers, and that is the end. Furthermore, most of the roads are in a bad condition with hard-to-avoid potholes, that are damaging our cars.”

Sayed said it was important to vote. 

“I believe that one vote can make a change, so I am still hopeful. But, people have to make sure they choose the right person to represent them.”  

A 73-year-old resident, who declined to be named, said Clairwood was a built-up community, but had deteriorated due to the neglect of the municipality. 

He said among his greatest concerns was the non-functioning street lights. 

“I have to run up my electricity bill to keep the lights on to deter criminals, as none of the street lights work. For more than two years, I have pleaded with the municipality to fix the street lights around my property. A truck had knocked down the pole more than two years ago. They put up the pole, but have not installed a light fitting.

“Previously, all my copper pipes and taps were stolen, and even after changing it to plastic, they even stole that. We are told the turnaround time for repairs is between two to 24 hours, but I am still waiting years later.”

The resident said he would vote. 

“I do not know how much longer I have to live, but I hope my vote can help make a change for the future generations. But we need a councillor who will listen to our pleas. 

“People will also no longer be fooled by promises made during election time. We need to see real work being done to better our community. We feel forgotten. It is time there is change, as we pay our rates, and expect what we are entitled to, which is proper service delivery,”  he said. 

Ravin Brijlal, the public relations officer for the Clairwood Ratepayers and Residents Association, said the community had been frustrated over the past few years.

“Back in the day, Clairwood was a well-kept area. You would never see bushes growing on the pavements, illegal dumping or a sewer flowing on the road due to blocked manholes. There were municipal workers cleaning the roads with brooms and picking up the dirt, not using rakes and pushing the dirt into the drains. We also have illegal dumping, because there is no enforcement such as fines being issued.” 

The 64-year-old, of Ambar Road, said the municipality had also neglected its own land. 

“We have a community park with swings and slides, but that has become a dumping ground and hiding place for vagrants because the grass is over three-metres high. There is also vacant municipal land which is not maintained. The grass has also grown so high. We requested the municipality allow us to use it for a community vegetable garden, but never received any feedback. 

“The current state of Clairwood is ‘pathetic’. We are living in what can only be described as a dumpsite. We keep reporting these issues, and we are lucky if we get some repairs done, but that can often take weeks, sometimes months. Ratepayers are fed up, and are tired of excuses. All they want is a municipality that cares about them, and not just taking their hard-earned money,”  he said.  

Sidney Govindsamy, the public relations officer of the Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramoniar Temple in Sirdar Road, said throughout the year, the temple hosted numerous religious festivals and prayers that attracted devotees from across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. 

He said one of the most significant events on their calendar was the annual Thai Poosam Kavady Festival, which spanned over 10 days, and drew thousands of devotees and visitors daily. 

“During this sacred period, many devotees undertake spiritual observances that require walking along surrounding public roads. Unfortunately, they are increasingly confronted with serious infrastructure challenges. 

“These conditions not only pose safety risks, but also create unhygienic and undignified circumstances for worshippers and tourists alike. The delays in addressing and resolving these issues are of serious concern,” he said. 

Govindsamy said the 137-year-old temple, which was recognised as one of the oldest heritage temples in South Africa, remained a significant spiritual, cultural, and tourism landmark in Durban South . 

“The temple forms an integral part of the South Durban community tourism route and has been honoured as a ‘hidden gem’ of Durban South, recognised by local and provincial tourism authorities.

“As a heritage site and established tourism destination, the temple contributes meaningfully to religious tourism, local economic activity and community identity. We respectfully appeal to the relevant municipal authorities to prioritise infrastructure maintenance and service delivery in areas surrounding places of worship, especially those of historical and tourism significance,” he said.

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