Cramped ex-farmworkers' tlof tlof stress!

THE living conditions for these families on Jacob's Farm in Ekurhuleni are dire.

It's not only the structures that are of concern. Four families share a single house, which severely limits personal space and privacy, and couples struggle with intimacy due to the cramped conditions.

"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 a mum.

Former farmworker from Springs, Ntombekhaya Bekwa said: "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."

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"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 said.

"In some rooms couples have tlof tlof and are making noise. 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," she said.

It's not only this mum who is not happy about sharing the houses; other former farmworkers wish the government could improve their lives.

"Living in such cramped conditions can be very stressful and uncomfortable, especially when it comes to maintaining privacy and personal space," said the former farmworker.