The delay of service delivery in Cala to be revitalised

 

Service Delivery Struggle Continues in Cala, in the Eastern Cape province

By: Zusake Dyantyi

Cala, a small town located in the Sakhisizwe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape, continues to face disheartening challenges around service delivery, sanitation, and unemployment. These issues have plagued the area for years and are now drawing increasing concern from residents.

Despite being rich in culture, and land, Cala is struggling with a lack of basic services, including access to purified water, proper sanitation infrastructure, and sustainable job opportunities. These concerns are not new to residents, many of whom have voiced frustration over unfulfilled promises by local and provincial government officials.

In some parts of the small-town Cala, residents still rely on communal taps, which often run dry for days. Water interruptions are so frequent that some households have resorted to collecting rainwater or sourcing from nearby rivers/ dams, raising serious health and hygiene concerns.

"Sometimes we go for a week without water. How are we supposed to live like this?" said Nosipho Marhwanqana, a mother of six living in one of the town’s informal settlements. "We are being failed by the very individuals we voted for.”

Sanitation is another pressing issue. While the municipality has made attempts to provide proper latrines in rural areas, maintenance remains poor. Overflowing toilets, lack of waste removal services, and dilapidated infrastructure are common sights, particularly in more remote villages surrounding the town.

“The toilets are not cleaned regularly, and many are already unusable. We feel neglected,” said Melikhaya Boya, a community activist. "This is a basic human right, and yet we are living like this in 2025."

In Cala, the lack of reliable infrastructure hampers economic development. Poor road conditions make transportation difficult, affecting both businesses and residents. Water supply interruptions disrupt daily life and hinder potential investment in the area.

Adding to the strain in Cala’s high unemployment rate, which is estimated to be well above the national average. Many young people in the area leave for bigger cities in search of work, contributing to the town’s brain drain and weakening its local economy.

"There are no jobs here. Most of us depend on social grants or informal selling to survive," said 25-year-old Siphesihle Njila who has been jobless since graduating from a local college in 2023. "It’s heartbreaking to study so hard and still end up with nothing."

As Cala continues to grapple with these challenges, residents are urging the government to translate provincial plans into concrete actions that address the town's specific needs. Without targeted interventions, the cycle of inadequate services and high unemployment is likely to persist.

However, many residents feel these measures are too little, too late.

Civil society groups in Cala are now calling for greater accountability and community participation in municipal planning. Some have even threatened to take legal action or organize protests to demand change.

As frustration grows, one thing is clear, and the people of Cala are no longer willing to accept the status quo. They want dignity, opportunity, and change, not just promises that end up not being fulfilled.