Weeks after heavy floods tore via elements of the Vhembe District, the scars stay seen in Dopeni village, the place residents are nonetheless struggling to regain entry to healthcare, training and primary providers after an important bridge was washed away.
The bridge, which connects Dopeni to neighbouring Siloam village the place Siloam Hospital and Rumani Clinic are situated, collapsed throughout extreme flooding in early January 2026, leaving the group remoted. Dopeni has no clinic or hospital of its personal, making the crossing a lifeline for the sick, aged and pupils.
“There is no such thing as a clinic right here,” says resident Barbra Lishivha. “When the bridge collapsed, it felt like we had been forgotten. If you happen to get sick, you both threat crossing the river otherwise you keep at dwelling and endure.”
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For some residents, the results have been speedy and harmful. A girl dwelling with a continual sickness, who requested to not be named, stated she missed scheduled remedy and medical verify ups as a result of she couldn’t attain the clinic.
“I used to be supposed to gather my remedy, however I couldn’t cross,” she says. “The water was too excessive. I stayed at dwelling and prayed nothing would occur to me.”
Schoolchildren have additionally been affected, with some learners lacking courses completely because the floods. Others try and cross the river when water ranges seem decrease, a dangerous transfer that folks say leaves them anxious daily.
“There are colleges close by, however the youngsters should cross the river to get there,” says Avhapfani Chauke. “As a guardian, you are concerned they is perhaps swept away.”
With no speedy help forthcoming, residents started rebuilding the bridge themselves in mid-January. Utilizing spades, shovels, picks, wheelbarrows, stones and outdated wood poles purchased from Eskom, group members constructed a short lived crossing to revive some degree of entry.
Dopeni sub-region South African Nationwide Civic Organisation (SANCO) spokesperson Richard Mukhaninga stated the group had no alternative however to behave.
“We took issues into our personal arms as a result of this bridge is the one manner our kids get to high school and the one entry we’ve got to Siloam Hospital,” Mukhaninga stated. “We have now residents dwelling with continual sicknesses who want common check-ups. With out this bridge, their lives are in danger.”
Mukhaninga warned that the construction is barely a short lived resolution and may very well be destroyed once more if heavy rains return.
The January floods triggered widespread injury throughout the Vhembe District, washing away roads, bridges and houses and leaving a number of rural communities remoted. Weeks later, many residents say they’re nonetheless ready for everlasting options. – Well being-e Information
