BALD FACTS ABOUT WATER

DIY guru plans to shave his head bare to save precious resource

MY BREAK was great, but over the past four weeks I missed the interaction I share with so many of you. Let me start by wishing you all the best for 2018. I believe we are in for a very interesting year with all sorts of different scenarios coming our way.

As you all know, I am not a political animal, so let’s concentrate on what I am supposed to be good at.

Thanks to all who sent me questions or asked me for advice during the holidays. It is satisfying to know many of you are popping in on Facebook or have my details on file so you can contact me without going through the newspaper. I am here for you whenever you need help. Obviously I cannot guarantee I can help all of you, but I will continue to try my best.

I did promise myself that I would not start the year by bringing up the subject of water, or the lack thereof, but I must admit I grow more despondent by the day.

Mrs Mac had decreed that we were not going to spend the holidays at home, and that the job jar could wait because we needed to spend time together, getting out and visiting destinations we have not been to since our return to Cape Town.

For some reason we decided to go to Franschhoek on Boxing Day, and after a pleasant morning, drove out the other end of the town, ending up at Theewaterskloof. The sight that greeted me has remained in my mind. I had no idea I could feel so shocked and devastated. Every morning when I clean my teeth I picture the desert that once was a massive dam. Believe me when I say I am at the stage of dry-brushing my teeth.

Our somewhat scandal-ridden council needs very quickly to plant the image that is in my mind into every other mind in Cape Town.

This was further brought home when we returned from visiting friends in Riebeeck West, via the centre of Malmesbury. Every third lamppost in the town has a election size poster giving water saving tips. Why can a little country dorp be so involved, yet our council continues to dither? At the beginning of the festive season they informed us that all the water supplementation schemes were behind schedule, the contractors were going on holiday to rest, and, by the way, Day Zero had been brought forward from mid-May to April 22.

By the time you read this the deadline for submission of comments about the implementation of the water levy will be behind us. I hope you have been very vocal. I believe we need to get a groundswell of awareness going about the water shortage, and I am proposing a shave-for-saving campaign. I think I will look weird with no hair, but we need to do whatever to make everyone aware of the crisis. No hair would mean that when we start showering every second or third day, we won’t look that bad. Also, the rest of the world will take one look at me and dispatch water and desalination ships to ensure you don’t have to look at a bald Handy Mac.

Malmesbury is displaying posters with tips to save water.