#Letters: Putting band-aids on bullet wounds

Belinda Weyer of Umdloti writes:

After reading Jacqui Herbst’s “No sugar added” column under the heading “Umdloti’s heartache deepens” (North Coast Courier, March 1), I have to say I totally relate to everything she said.

People will only be upset by the column if the words somehow make them feel inadequate, disrespected or unappreciated. The opinion of one person shouldn’t affect one’s self-worth – unless they are doubting themselves?

Like Herbst said, the floods occurred two years ago, yet we are still ‘wallowing’ in the aftermath.

While the constant repairs and construction do give us hope, one can’t deny that the loss of our beach lifestyle has made us all feel a little low.

It’s not only the Umdloti’s residents who are affected. The people who have been sold a dream in the developments behind Umdloti must also be frustrated.

Do they have a beach life, parking, toilets? Nope!

I blame the people who allowed it to happen without making sure the infrastructure was in place. I feel that neither the source nor the solution has been effectively dealt with.

I’ve been living in Umdloti since 1970 and to my knowledge our waterborne sewerage lines haven’t been upgraded in decades and now have to cope with a multitude of people (compared to the past).

I think the council underestimated the volume of stormwater that would make its way to Umdloti, be it subterranean (recent effect of homes in Margaret Bacon Ave), the stormwater drains and the natural water course (the homes at the bottom of the ravine in South Beach Road).

The council is making efforts, with a bit of assistance from Tongaat Hulett and the developers, but will it be a workable solution?

My heart goes out to Umdloti’s community who have spent personal hours and money beautifying Umdloti, only to see it washed out to sea every time we have heavy rain.

Do I think Smart Village is doing its best? Yes! But one has to remember they are doing this for the love (volunteering) of Umdloti.

Not all are necessarily qualified experts in engineering or environmental management.

Is the council doing its job? Well, yes, they are trying. We can’t deny they get to us pretty quickly. Some communities in other areas have had no water for months.

But I do believe that we are putting band-aids on bullet wounds and aren’t dodging the bullets, just bravely accepting the inevitable.

I hope that behind-the-scenes plans are being made to put in infrastructure to match the size of the village we now have.

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