What the residents say:

NONTSINDISO Tiso (32) has two kids, who walk to Thembu Primary in Pimville though dense bush and over a hill.

I've lost all hope of having “’ a school in this area. I m taking

’ my boys to the Eastern Cape next year. At least the school there is a stone s throw from

’ home. Their lives are at risk.”

Pensioner Nora Khoza (71) and her neighbour, spaza shop owner Elizabeth Hlongwane (57), are adamant not even a tsunami will sway them from voting for the ANC in 2014.

Voting for (Helen) Zille and “the DA will set us years back to the days of apartheid. Better the ANC we ve come to know. At

’ least they have freed our souls,” says Khoza. Hlongwane s main gripes

’ are schools, electricity, proper running water and toilets. We are prone to diseases “such as TB and malaria. Our lavatories haven t been emptied

’ since the December holidays.”

Not all is doom and gloom in Motsoaledi. Luvuyo Nkomo (22) attests to this. He passed his matric three years ago and is studying tourism.

It s been an uphill battle “’ but I m optimising success in my

’ studies by using candlelight.”

Unemployed Lawrence Rolomane (29) couldn t further his

’ studies after passing matric because of a lack of resources.

I'm a volunteer tourist “’ guide in a local community project, which helps fund five local daycare centres for toddlers. We earn a living through tourists

’ tips and donations. Hunger contributes to the “high school dropout rate, teenage pregnancy, crime and prostitution.”

Says Mzuvumile Ntlali (45), a casual worker: Without

“fridges, we must have cash every day to give our kids pocket money for lunch. We can t buy in bulk for food to last

’ for a month. There s one tap in

’ every street for 200 houses.”