Water crisis hits home for residents
MEC gives elderly a tour of the empty Theewaterskloof Dam
BEACONVALE Frail Care Centre residents gasped and frowned as they stared at the reality of Theewaterskloof Dam, which has dried up beneath the boats at the nearby yacht club. “A lot of us didn’t take much notice with what they said on TV or radio (about Day Zero), but seeing it today, it’s a good experience for us.
“This is the first time I’ve experienced something like this. We can see the dams are really empty,” said Louise Ferris, 84, who was too frail to get out of the bus.
Members of the party, from Beacon Valley, who got off the bus held hands to pray that the dams may be replenished, and some remarked that they once swam and played in the now barren dam.
The elderly community was brought to the dam by Western Cape MEC for Social Development Albert Fritz in an effort to dispel myths circling in the Mitchells Plain area that Day Zero is a lie.
“People think Day Zero is a a lie and figment of someone’s imagination.
“They’re flushing drinking water down the toilet. So we thought, let’s come and have a look’. The main source of our water is the Theewaterskloof Dam.
“Some of the seniors are very sceptical. But in one of the old-age homes, they’ve halved their water bill.”
Beaconvale Community Frail Care Centre chairperson Solomon Philander said the centre, which caters to 135 residents and 90 staff members, went from paying R18 000 per month for water to R10 000 per month.
“We managed to half our municipal bill to R10 000. We use less than 50 litres of water per person, per day for cooking, cleaning and everything for frail care.
“We have strategic water points in the facility and we have bucket baths because a full bath is not necessary.
“It’s used only when needed. Water is life and it’s all of our responsibility.”
Irvin van der Burg said: “I can’t explain it. It’s just dry, dry, dry. There’s no water. People must come see for themselves. I’m worried about the future… where is the water coming from?”
Daniel Williams said: “There has been no rain for some time. They don’t believe us at home when you talk about it and everyone wants to take a shower.
“It’s worse than what we thought. When I came here a few years ago, we were running around here in the pool.”
PROTEAS captain Faf du Plessis and his Indian counterpart, Virat Kohli, have donated R100 000 to the Cape Town water crisis. The cheque was handed to the Gift of the Givers at the last KFC T20 International at PPC Newlands on Sunday.
Gift of the Givers will use the donation to drill boreholes as well as supply bottled water to organisations in desperate need.
“Both teams had first-hand experience of the water crisis in Cape Town and, having chatted to Virat, we decided to get our teams to sign some jerseys which we auctioned off, with the funds raised going to assist,” said Du Plessis.
“We also wanted to create awareness and hope that other organisations and sports codes follow in our direction.”
Kohli stressed the importance of getting involved in this campaign.
“Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and, whenever we visit and play at Newlands, we are treated extremely well by the local people.
“By creating awareness, we are playing our part in highlighting the drought so people can see the seriousness of what’s taking place,” said Kohli.
Gift of the Givers chairperson Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said the donation would be put to good use.
“Gift of the Givers appreciates the support from the South African and Indian cricket teams towards our Western Cape drought initiative.
“The generous contribution will assist us in essential borehole drilling in various areas which are virtually without water already,” said Sooliman.
“Funds would also be directed to augment homes for the mentally and physically challenged, people with cerebral palsy and orphanages with much-needed bottled water.”
Chief ambassador for #SaveWater Yusuf Abramjee thanked the Proteas for supporting the drive.
“The Proteas always lead,” he said. “We thank the management of Cricket South Africa and the Proteas for supporting the #SaveWater and #EveryDropCounts campaign.”
The #SaveWater and #EveryDropCounts campaign is an initiative between the Department of Water and Sanitation, Operation SA and Miss Earth South Africa. – Staff Reporter