WATER WOES CONTINUE MIXED FORTUNES IN RONDEBOSCH

No sooner had the burst water main leading from Howiesonspoort dam to Waainek water treatment plant been repaired early last week than another leak occurred on the same line.

Makana Municipality reported on Friday that “the steel pipe that pumps water from the dam to the plant cracked yesterday late afternoon”.

The report continued: “Amatola Water and Makana Municipality teams have so far managed to mobilise, excavate and drain the line. A welding company has been secured to start welding the crack. Thereafter the line will be opened.”

“As easy as that,” commented a local resident. “Until the next time,” he added, fully aware of the city’s many water outages and restrictions over the past number of years.

GRADUATION LIVE

The Rhodes University ‘Class of 2023’ has its graduation ceremony in the 1820 Settlers National Monument from April 3 to 5. Proceedings will be live-streamed at www.ru.ac.za/graduationgateway.

DONATING RED ON PURPLE CAMPUS

The SA National Blood Service’s (SANBS) blood drive on the Rhodes University campus on March 13 yielded 60 units of the life-saving fluid.

SANBS donor relations practitioner Tando Maseti said 84 students and staff members presented themselves to donate blood, but 24 were not able to donate due to low iron levels and others who had recently had the flu.

Meanwhile, in their visit to the NG Church hall in Hill Street six days later, SANBS phlebotomists from Gqeberha collected 22 units of blood from local donors.

The first rugby teams of Kingswood College and St Andrew’s College were in Cape Town at the weekend, along with other schools’ sides from across the country, all taking part in the Bishops Diocesan College rugby festival to celebrate its 175th anniversary.

Southern Suburbs team, Wynberg Boys’ High School, enjoyed a stellar weekend, defeating both Makhanda teams over the three days, both by rather large margins.

Kingswood College kicked off its festival programme with an oh so narrow 26-25 victory over KwaZulu-Natal side Hilton College after trailing 25-7 with about 20 minutes left on the clock.

Kingswood scored four tries, by Munangi Kamwendo, Visi Labase, Likhona Kepe and Liyema Katikati, while Praise Matsila succeeded with three conversions.

Also on day-one, St Andrew s College went down 43-21 to Wynberg Boys’ High.

The Makhanda team’s three tries were scored by Aza Nonxuba, Nic Hall and Julian Mapoore, while Scott Miles put over two conversions and Karabo van Heerden, one.

Then it was on to Saturday when Kingswood came up against Wynberg and St Andrew’s met hosts Bishops in the main game of the day.

Kingswood came unstuck against a rampant Wynberg, going down 35-7, and St Andrew’s lost narrowly to Bishops by 30 points to 29.

SHOULDN’T COST TOO MUCH

There may be potholes here, there and everywhere in Makhanda, but surely Makana Municipality can attend to some of the real meaner ones, like those at the intersection of Hillsview Road and Lawrance Street.

Because of the potholes, crumbling tar, loose stones and gravel, some drivers have been observed struggling with spinning wheels when reaching Hillsview Road.

How about it, municipality, it shouldn’t cost too much in time and money?

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

Undergraduate lectures came to a conclusion on the Rhodes University campus yesterday (Wednesday) for now, at least and the student body’s mid-semester vacation begins today.

But there has been, and will continue to be, loads of work for admin staff to attend to, what with the university’s graduation ceremonies due to take place from Wednesday, April 3 to Friday, April 5 in the 1820 Settlers National Monument.

Undergraduate lectures resume on Monday April 8.