Residents of Meriting in NW lament lack of basic services

Meriting is surrounded by mines, yet its residents remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and neglect. A place that should be thriving with development opportunities instead finds itself battling deteriorating infrastructure, water shortages and high unemployment.

This is what a resident had to say, “There’s no development at Meriting, like the years that I’m staying here, ever since then there’s not even a mobile clinic or there’s not even a community protection forum (CPF) to be seen. There’s not even a school or even a government-donated crèche.

The challenges are unemployment and we are sitting just a few metres away from the mine. When we try to apply for work or approach the mine they always tell us, through the councillor, through the councillor.”

Community leaders expressed their frustration over the lack of benefits from local mining operations, despite the wealth extracted from their land.

“Our roads damage our cars. They are filled with potholes. Sewage leaks onto the streets and water pipes burst without being repaired. It’s the community members who have to seek out private companies to fix these problems.”

“We find ourselves standing on the foundations of RDP houses that were once built but later demolished. We don’t understand why they were torn down without any explanation. Despite our efforts to consult the relevant authorities, we still haven’t received any answers.”

For the children in the area, even the simple act of playing outside is a struggle. With no proper sports ground, they are forced to clear open spaces themselves just to have a place to play.

A netball player says, “I would like them to give us sports facilities. Every time we have games we don’t have the confidence to call other teams because we don’t have sports facilities. Every time we play we get injured.”

Despite repeated attempts for a response from the Rustenburg Local Municipality, officials are yet to provide comment.