By Selloane Ntshonyane
- Crystal Fountain hosted its Thol’ulwazi awareness event on 27 November, bringing hundreds of residents together with government officials and support groups.
- People came with painful stories about violence at home, poor mental health support, and the daily struggle to access basic services
Many residents said the biggest problem is the growing number of undocumented children who cannot get into schools or receive healthcare. Parents said they keep hitting the same wall: no documents, no help.
Nthabiseng Morolong, who lives in the Chicken Farm informal settlement, said her passport was stolen during a break-in last year. She has tried to replace it but keeps failing without the right papers.
She said: “Not having the right documents is a struggle because I can’t do anything. My seven-year-old couldn’t start school last year. They wouldn’t accept him because he only has a clinic card.”
Tsebo Ntlhakana from the Lesotho Embassy told her to bring an affidavit so she can apply for an Exit Permit. This will let her return to Lesotho to apply for a new passport. He also said she can apply for study permits for her children once her own papers are sorted.
Matshidiso Baholo from FXB said the group is helping a child whose mother is from Lesotho and whose South African father refuses to register her birth. The child has no birth certificate.
Groups at the event included the South African Police Service, the South African Social Security Agency, and the Lesotho Embassy, along with NGOs such as FXB, Zwakala Mjita, and FAMSA.
Crystal Fountain also offered free chronic illness testing, which it provides daily at its offices.
Project manager Muzi Kheswa said the event helps close the gap between people and service providers, especially for those who are ignored.
Pictured above: Community members at Crystal Fountain’s awareness event.
Image source: Crystal Fountain
