Mtyu village - Transkei region- Eastern Cape

Mtyu is a poor rural community in the Transkei region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

The landscape is very similar to the South Downs but without tarmac roads. Most roads are  very uneven and full of potholes which make transport and communication very difficult.

Very few trees are found as these have usually been used for fire wood.

As there is no running water supply, all water is collected daily from the river or collected from the roof and stored in water buts.

The walk to collect water is often very difficult. The women will climb steep banks with containers on their heads in a journey that often takes 1/2 day to complete.   The water will be dirty and full of disease.  Before it can be drunk the water must be boiled.

Buildings are traditionally made from mud bricks with a grass roof. The cost of erecting one of these buildings in uk pounds would be about £1,000.00.

To make the collection of water possible, the grass roofs are being replaced by tin roofs which are very expensive.

Most families have one small building to live and cook in.

This picture is of a 'rondavel' which is only used for cooking.  There would be an open fire on a mud floor.