Surman, a community in Hammanskraal, reflects the deep social and economic struggles faced by many South Africans today. More than half of the country’s 62 million people live below the poverty line, and in Surman this reality is evident in crumbling livelihoods, widespread unemployment, and persistent hunger. Families often go without enough to eat, with nearly one in five households nationally facing food insecurity. For more than a decade, residents have also lived without reliable access to safe water, relying on boreholes, expensive bottled water, or municipal trucks. The situation reached crisis point in 2023, when contaminated water supplies led to a cholera outbreak that claimed more than 30 lives in Hammanskraal.

In response, ForAfrika adopted a multisectoral approach—partnering with key stakeholders to restore dignity and build resilience. Working with First National Bank (FNB) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), ForAfrika rehabilitated 15 solar powered boreholes across Hammanskraal, bringing safe water to over 12,000 residents. In Surman specifically, CMA CGM, the world’s largest shipping company, stepped in to drill a new borehole after the initial one ran dry. This now reliably provides clean water to more than 800 residents.

With reliable water access secured, ForAfrika turned to food security. In partnership with the Swiss Embassy, a community garden was established in Surman, coupled with agroecology training for 20 residents—14 of them youth. This garden not only provides nutritious food but also skills, opportunities, and a sense of pride for the community.