Journalist Naledi Mashishi says the issue deserves greater attention as it continues to affect businesses and the public ahead of the local government elections
By Mapaballo Borotho
The City of Johannesburg has been facing a myriad of socio-economic challenges in recent years, including illegal electricity connections that contribute to power outages, delays in waste collection and, most recently, ongoing water shortages.
These issues have affected the city, its residents and businesses alike.
But what happens when the city’s water crisis follows you into a place of fun?
From dry taps and backed-up toilets to venues relying on boreholes, water tanks and buckets, Johannesburg’s nightlife is feeling the impact of persistent water outages.
On Point of View, Phemelo Motene and Daily Maverick journalist Naledi Mashishi unpacked how the city’s water crisis is disrupting nightlife and placing added pressure on businesses.
Mashishi said Johannesburg’s water challenges need to remain in the spotlight, particularly because they directly affect residents and businesses, with local government elections only a few months away.
So, what do clubs do when there’s no water at 3am? Patrons need functioning toilets, access to drinking water and basic hygiene facilities. What happens when those essentials are unavailable?
“One of the club owners that I spoke to said he has to buy water for his customers, and it’s not a very nice environment for customers, especially when there’s no water. This ends up chasing customers away because no one wants to have fun in an uncomfortable place,” said Mashishi.
She added that some clubs go for weeks without municipal water because of recurring outages.
However, some landlords and club owners have invested in boreholes and water storage tanks, allowing them to continue operating despite disruptions to the city’s water supply.
Listen to the podcast for the full conversation.
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