Water challenges in Harare: Zimbabwe by Sharon Chipo Manzvera

Sharon Chipo Manzvera taught in Zimbabwe in both primary in Harare, and secondary schools in Goromonzi District for 3 years. She did a Bachelors in International Studies and Criminology at Monash University in South Africa. Currently, she is part of Wallacea Editorial Board that focuses mainly on Indo-Pacific Politics and has an interest in exploring matters of concern around the globe on water security and cervical cancer issues in the Sub Saharan African Countries.

​Water challenges in Harare: Zimbabwe
The issue of water scarcity emerged in 2007 and many were happy when cholera was eliminated in the city of Harare. Also, the period between 2007 and 2015, there was adequate water due to the change of economy and the inclusive government. As a result, water treatment and repair of the old pipes that were inserted in 1980s and 1990s took place. However, not all the old pipes were fixed as the budgeted money was also prioritized for some issues in the Municipalities of Water. As such, water issues hit back strongly the citizens of Harare in 2016. Borehole water was now preferred as the safe water source than taped water, however poverty has caused criminals to steal borehole parts during the night, thereof leaving many people resorting once again to dirty taped water. There were no UNICEF Bouzers or drums to cater for the clean water. Again, another disease emerged, though this time it was typhoid. No one knew about typhoid in Glen View 3, and many people who died of the disease were reluctant to go to the hospital. In most of the local houses in Glen View 3, majority of people survived because they presented their cases early at Central Hospital in Harare. However, the unfortunate ones lost their life because of lack of awareness, and money to go to the hospital. Finally, water issue has been neglected with the government as it is not seen to be of importance. Two months ago, my family told me that the Parirenyatwa Hospital (major hospital in Harare which all people with critical issues are referred to) had no water for 2 weeks. This caused the alert to all patients to bring their own water to the hospital. As if it is not enough, in Glen Norah hospital all pregnant women were told to bring 20 liters of water when they go to deliver their children. Therefore, water remains a major challenge in Zimbabwe.

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