LYDENBURG – “The challenge of a lifetime – this is how the Lydenburg/Mashishing Business Chamber can describe the past year,” said the chairman, Mr Wessel Venter at the recent AGM at Bistro 59.
Venter and his executive gave feedback on the many problems facing the town due to disintegrating municipal services, highlighting the ongoing attempts to get the town out of the gutter.
The picture was anything but optimistic. Mr Leon de Jager mentioned the formation of the Thaba Chweu Business Forum – incorporating Sabie, Graskop and Lydenburg. The task team had a well-represented initial meeting, only to be abandoned later by council representatives.
He commented on the valuation roll, stating that they were investigating the procedures that were followed. Council’s negative cash flow and the loss made on power supply due to a lack of meters, unlawful connections and unfit administration practices, were also discussed.
Mr Francois Vermeulen painted the dismal picture of the complete lack of technical skills, equipment and commitment by council. The meeting learned of the technical task team, recently formed by mining, industry and Sterkspruit Estates, to assist with the most rudimentary of infrastructure maintenance.
“Its commitment is non-existent,” Vermeulen said. “Even though we offer our services and skills free of charge, it does not want to accept any help.”
There are leaks in the water pipes and the municipality is in no way equipped to fix them. The water-affairs project to replace the main water supply lines from the dam, was supposed to start two weeks ago.
There is, however, still no buy-in from council to this project, which was meant to replace the 800mm pipeline with a 500mm high-pressure one.
The technical task team, under Martiens van der Merwe, is concerned about the effect any unsupervised work on these two adjacent pipelines could have on the town’s general water supply.
Dave Hinton of Sterkspruit Estates reported that excavations were currently being carried out. Lydenburg’s average water usage stands at almost 14 000 megalitres – almost double the current available supply. He also confirmed that the task team had appointed an electrical engineer to investigate the town’s electrical supply and demand.
More electricity dips can be expected. The Rooidraai substation was destroyed by lightning and all electricity is currently supplied by the old system. The hydro operator is owed R4,1million and switched off the system on April 1 – this accounts for 2,1 million Watts power at a cheaper rate.
Industry would try to install a temporary transformer, Vermeulen said. The main issue, however, was that the municipality was not prepared to shoulder its own responsibilities. “The mines cannot be expected to run the town.
Council should start carrying its own responsibilities.” Pastor André Hanekom reported back on the umbrella organisation which aims to co-ordinate activities (and particularly all fund-raisers) of schools, churches and community services under the auspices of the chamber.
He highlighted their RITA slogan – reliability, influence, transparency and accountability and invited all organisations to a combined meeting on May 13 at 10:00 at De Ark.
“We want only high school children to shake tins at traffic lights. Lydenburg should not support professional beggars from any town. We really need a home for children and a haven for mothers and children,” Hanekom said.
Rev Fred Wilson reported back on the Tebelo Village fund which had been started and which would have to be made sustainable by the faith community of Lydenburg /Mashishing. Uzenzela Wena is now officially registered as an orphanage but can by no means meet the growing demands of the community.
In closing, Venter announced an initiative that the chamber would investigate – “taking Lydenburg from the guttermost to the uttermost”. Realising that no miracles could occur until after the elections, Chamber will host its next general meeting on Tuesday June 10 at 17:30.
