IN PICTURES: Good and bad rain comes again for Setwetla residents

Alexandra resembled a ghost town on New Year’s Day.

Streets, taxi ranks and public spaces were unusually deserted seemingly due to the incessant drizzle. The usual milling throngs and families seemed to be indoors celebrating the new year, nursing hangovers or catching up on sleep lost the previous night while waiting for the first day of the new year in an election year under the new presidential dawn.

In African custom, rain signifies blessings and a good year ahead, an omen which hopefully will be fulfilled in a nation struggling to rid itself of negativity, particularly the recently ended recession through real term economic growth; residual racism which continues as an unhealing wound, and infantile political discourse in an elective year. There are also hopes that more 2018 matric learners achieve better passes to enable them to withstand the rigours of tertiary education.

Residents of Setwetla informal settlement along the flood-prone Jukskei River sought shelter against the rain with trepidation. Emergency Management Services visited the area to monitor the river which was at a threatening level. Last year, a child drowned after the river burst its banks and many shacks were washed away. This has been a pattern for many years resulting partly from broken promises by the government to relocate them to safer and habitable areas and for the area to be barricaded. With this being an election year, there is hope for a resolution of this decade-long problem being provided by local, provincial and national government departments.

Recounting his losses from last year’s flooding, victim Oscar Kubayi said, “It will take long for me to fully recover my previous status due to my low income, unlike others with no income. While the rains are an act of God… Setswetla residents dread its destructive nature but have no option. They remain indoors out of desperation and in fear of what may happen anytime.”

He urged the government to make good on their promises to gain the trust of residents who dread the rainy season. This time, Kubayi and others were offered temporary residence at a transit camp provided by Gift of the Givers. “It’s a safe but not permanent place where I will hopefully gather enough resources to replace the fridge, television, bed, clothing and all assets I lost leaving me with only the clothes I had on me on that dreadful day.”