Talk 19 November 2020

6 Advertising & Newsdesk: (046) 624-4356 Find us on Facebook 19 November 2020 TALK OF THE TOW N
EDITORIAL
OPINION
Port Alfred
water crisis
déjà vu
Our current water crisis is déjà vu all
over again. In November 2019, I
wrote about our water crisis being
in its early stages, with our main supply, the
Sarel Hayward Dam, being at less than
50% capacity.
The municipality was sending out
occasional notices reminding residents that
we had a water shortage and are on
restrictions, but people were still living like
there was no problem.
Swimming pools were still being topped
up, residents were using hosepipes to wash
their cars and water their gardens in
disregard of the water restrictions, and the
municipality itself was slow to attend to
reported leaks. Since then, there has been a
lot of water under the bridge, literally.
The dam level dropped significantly and
by January we were warned the level was
below 6%. Many residents attended a water
crisis meeting at the Port Alfred Civic Centre
where municipal officials explained the
extent of the situation, blasted Amatola
Water for its failures, and gave an update on
the municipality’s emergency plans to build
a sea water reverse osmosis (RO) plant on
the banks of the Kowie River.
Two months later we discovered there
were allegations of corruption and
irregularities in the appointment of a
contractor and the matter was taken to
court by the losing bidder.
The Covid-19 lockdown caused further
delays, but the municipality was certain of a
victory in court, so much so that they paid
R20m to their preferred bidder before a
contract had even been signed.
The high court declared the tender
irregular and unlawful and set it aside, so
the municipality had to start the tender
process all over again, while trying
unsuccessfully to get back its R20m.
We received a reprieve when there was
sufficient rainfall to make the flow of the
Kowie River over the weir high enough to
pump water into the dam. But since then it
has been steadily declining.
When the municipality announced the
level of Sarel Hayward as being 50% on
July 21, but dropping to 37% just 21 days
later, the Port Alfred Residents and
Ratepayers Association (Parra) checked the
dam themselves and queried the
municipality’s estimates. They said photos
showed the level as being much lower.
Problems with the pumps at the weir,
which should have been fixed as a priority
months ago, have caused further loss of
wa t e r.
Something else that has been pointed
out to me by a local farmer is the water
tower at Thornhill which is often
overflowing, resulting in massive water
wastage. And many people still seem to be
oblivious of the problem.
Until their taps run dry.
Jon Houzet
UNITED IN PRAYER FOR RAIN: A group of about 30 people, from the township and town, gather together at the intersection of Wharf Street
and the R67 on Sunday afternoon to pray for rain to fill the dams and ravines, soak the soil and raise the groundwater table, after Ndlambe
Municipality’s announcement that Port Alfred’s main water source, the Sarel Hayward Dam, is at 5.3%. The call for prayer was made on November
11.The dam has dropped even further since Ndlambe’s announcement on October 28Picture: TK MTIKI
START: Caption Picture: CAPS
HAVE YOUR SAY Letters to PO Box 2871, Port Alfred — or e-mail to h o u ze t j @ ta l kof t h e tow n .co. za
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‘Richer’ e-bike anglers get
best spots, no long walk
I would like to draw the
public’s attention to the use
of e-bikes on the beaches
for fishing.
In 2001, Valli Moosa,
who was environmental
minister, banned vehicles
on beaches to protect
wildlife, including the
oyster catcher.
The story goes that he
was at Kei Mouth and was
verbally abused by
fishermen when he told
them how their beach
vehicles were damaging
the environment.
So for the past 19 years,
fishermen have had to walk
along the beach.
This year, along comes
the e-bike which can go up
to 30km/h and goes for
R30,000, so it’s only
affordable to rich people.
Now these e-bike
anglers have the choice of
all the best spots without
the walking.
I think I read if they go
less than 25km/h they are
not classed as a motor bike.
IS IT LEGAL?
Heartfelt thanks to all who
helped with successful quiz
I must say a huge thank
you again to TOTT,
quizmaster Jon Houzet
and his assistant Adele
Steck for last week’s quiz.
A huge thank you to
Stenden and MyPond
Hotel for the venue and
amazing eats.
Due to Covid-19
regulations we were only
able to host 10 teams and
again it was good to see a
lot of new faces taking
part.
A total of R6,030 was
raised for the evening
including raffle tickets,
which is truly fantastic and
ensures that we are able to
fill many more empty
tummies with a hearty
meal.
Thank you again to all
the participants and
sponsors, being Stenden
South Africa, MyPond,
Wimpy, Leach Pharmacy,
Prestons and Wharf Street
Fruit & Veg.
Thanks so much again
Jon, and looking forward
to the next quiz.
DEBRA HARRIS
Big thank you
to SPCA Golf
Day sponsors,
and all players
To all our sponsors of the Debbie Longhurst SPCA Golf
Day held on November 6, thank you for your generosity
in supporting the day.
Special thanks to All Things Skin Care, Build It,
Bruno’s Panelbeaters, Buco, Bushman’s Bar and Grill,
Carara Grahamstown, Continental Takeaways Kentonon-Sea,
Dold and Stone, Fresh Kenton-on-Sea,
Grahamstown Electrical, Grahamstown Mutual Bank,
Horns Up Kenton-on-Sea, House & Design, Interact Port
Alfred High School, Joba Café, KC Italia, Kenton-on-Sea
Pharmacy, Kowie Hardware, Krakkel and Kraai, Liebe
Voere Pty Ltd, Lions Port Alfred, Lulu’s Bakes, Nanaga
Farm Stall, Oasis, Port Alfred River and Ski-boat Club,
Penny Farthing Café, Pick n Pay, Prestons, Radue
Optometrists, Rosehill Superspar, Royal Port Alfred Golf
Club, Shamwari Game Reserve, Sibuya Game Reserve,
Spinning Reel Cottages, Stanley’s Kenton-on-Sea, Sinani
Energy Johannesburg, Sotheby’s Real Estate, Standerwick
Nursery, Sunshine Juice, The Bakery Kenton-on-Sea, The
Courtyard, The Loft Bushman’s River Mouth, The Royal St
Andrew’s Hotel, Top Carpets, Wharf St Fruit and Veg,
and last but not least, Woolworths.
I would like to thank everyone involved who helped
and all the players, thank you very much for your
genenerous support.
WENDY BRADFIELD, SPCA committee member
The Bible says in Proverbs 4:23,
“Above all else, guard your
heart, for it is the wellspring of
life”.
The absolute necessity to
guard our hearts is indicated by
the words “above all else”.
Here are a few things we
need to guard against.
It is possible to say that sin is
the product of the condition of
the heart, “For out of the heart
come evil thoughts, murder,
adultery, sexual immorality,
theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man
unclean” (Matthew 15:19, 20).
May we be like the Psalmist
who said, “I have hidden your
word in my heart that I might
not sin against you” (Psalms
Above all else, guard your heart
I N S P I R AT I O N A L
INSIGHTS
Pastor Theo Snyman
119:11).
The heart is the seat of love
… love for God and our
n e i g h b o u r.
The Lord Jesus said,
“Because of the increase of
wickedness, the love of most
will grow cold” (Matthew
24:12).
May we not be among those
whose love is affected by the
wickedness of our time.
Faith is also a matter of the
heart, so we should take care
not to lack in this area, for
“without faith it is impossible to
please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
We need to hold onto the
promises of God even in the
midst of the trials and
tribulations we face in life.
“Trust in the Lord and don’t
despair, He is a Friend so true.
No matter what your troubles
are, Jesus will see you through
…”
Do not allow fear to grip
your heart.
The Lord is our Shepherd
TideGuide courtesy of the South African Navy
and “Even though I walk
through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no
evil, for you are with me; your
rod and your staff, they comfort
me” (Psalms 23:4).
A change of heart will make
this world a better place.
Quotations from the New
International Version.
Da t e High Lo w Da t e High Lo w
N ov 19 1831 0620 1228 0012
20 1914 0705 1314 0053
21 2014 0802 1415 0140
22 2200 0931 1603 0247
23 2359 1126 1806 0434
24 ---- 1241 1911 0611
25 0105 1327 1952 0708
26 0147 1402 2024 074 9