In a splashy political stunt, the veteran South African politician Helen Zille donned a wetsuit and snorkel to swim through a giant, water-filled pothole in a Johannesburg suburb, spotlighting what she says is years of city mismanagement. The trench, caused by a repeatedly failing water pipe, had reportedly lingered for about three years, symbolizing residents’ frustrations with crumbling infrastructure. Zille shared the video online as she prepares to run for mayor of Johannesburg, a wealthy yet troubled metropolis frequently plagued by service disruptions. The stunt quickly went viral—and city officials soon announced the pipe had finally been repaired—underscoring how political theater can sometimes prompt swift action.
AP
