Life on Jacob's Farm in Ekurhuleni is far from peaceful, especially when it comes to the juicy tlof tlof act.
The cramped living conditions, with four families sharing a single house, have created a stressful and uncomfortable environment, impacting the well-being of everyone, particularly when it comes to privacy and personal space.
"We're raising our kids in conditions which we don't wish we could. Everything is done here. The overall situation is stressful and uncomfortable, impacting the well-being of all of us," said one mother.
The lack of personal space and privacy has become a major source of tension for the families, particularly for couples. The cramped living conditions make it difficult to find moments of intimacy, and the constant proximity of other families can be intrusive.
"In some rooms couples have tlof tlof and are making noise," said Ntombekhaya Bekwa, a former farmworker from Springs.
"This happens when some of them are drunk. We have a space in these yards. We wish that during the refurbishing, the municipality could separate families so we could raise our kids in decent spaces.”
Bekwa, who has lived on Jacob's Farm for years, is deeply disheartened by the lack of improvement in their living conditions.
"It's like these politicians don't know. They come here to take photos, and perhaps to get donations or other benefits using us. It’s sad. Our kids aren't working. If there were jobs, we could be depending on ourselves to change our situation. This is actually not a place to raise kids," she lamented.
The families on Jacob's Farm have repeatedly appealed to local authorities for assistance in improving their living conditions, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
"Improving our living conditions would likely require intervention from local authorities, but unfortunately there's no hope for that. We vote in every election. This year I also did, but our lives remain the same," said Bekwa.
The lack of privacy and personal space is not the only issue plaguing the families on Jacob's Farm. The inadequate housing conditions, coupled with the lack of job opportunities, have created a cycle of poverty and despair.
"Living in such cramped conditions can be very stressful and uncomfortable, especially when it comes to maintaining privacy and personal space," said another former farmworker.
The residents of Jacob's Farm are calling for a change in their living conditions, hoping for a future where they can raise their children in a safe and comfortable environment.
They are urging the local authorities to take action and address their concerns, providing them with the resources and support they need to break free from the cycle of poverty and despair.
