Remembering the 1949 drought

THE current drought in the Western Cape puts me in mind of the 1949 drought in East London. There were canvas sea water tanks on street corners for people to pour into their toilet cisterns. Municipal water was only on for a few hours a day, washing a car was regarded the same as beating your wife and boreholes involved drilling through 20 to 30 metres of rock.

The oil tanker Athelcrown made its maiden voyage, bringing water from Durban to East London.

A shower every third day and a sponge bath in between is enough. Wear outer clothing an extra day or two to save washing water. Be proud of your dirty car. Wash dishes only once a day. The grass and flowers will recover when it rains! Lionel Latigan Melkbosstrand