Mahikeng, the former pride of North West for its cleanliness and progressive policies, is now overrun with potholes, refuse and debt. Driving is a gamble and drinking tap water is an extreme sport. Mthatha is much the same.
MAHIKENG
A song cut from one of motswako rapper Mo’ Molemi’s albums could provide the best evidence of just how long Mahikeng’s residents have endured driving on potholed streets.
The track Maspala (municipality) was supposed to have been included on the album Motsamai seven years ago.
In it, Molemi sings in Setswana: “Kere somebody thiba dipotholes, kara yame ya tlola every time I am on the road. Ke a go kopa maspala thiba di pothole; go konega rim every time I go home.”
Loosely translated, it says: “I say somebody fix the potholes; my car bounces every time I’m on the road. I beg of you municipality fix the potholes; rims get damaged every time I go home.”
For the past few weeks, Maspala
Continue reading…
