Two Bits – 31 July 2015

I owe Umgeni Water an apology. I scoffed at their forecast that it would rain before the end of July. They were right, it did rain heavily, though unfortunately not all in the right places.

Reports of exceptional rain have been pouring in, from 240mm in Simbithi, over 300 mm at Umhlali golf course, to 200mm at Hazelmere Dam.

But there wasn’t much rain in the catchment area of the dam, the area roughly between Upper Tongaat and Verulam and inland to Wartburg/New Hanover/Greytown. The dam level did go up from 26 percent last week to 29.9percent on Sunday, which is a plus. But, as we all know, a long way from a reprieve. It will have to go to over 50% before we can breathe easy. But more rain might be on the way, so let’s not give up hope.

In the meantime, along the coast where the heaviest rain fell, our farms and gardens were drenched and dams and rainwater tanks filled to overflowing.

Landscaper Ken Mann has kept records of rainfall at his home in Sandra Road since 1988. In our driest year, 2003, only 557 mm fell, while 2012 was the wettest year when 1 442 mm was recorded.

Rain in July can vary hugely, from 400mm this year, the wettest single month, let alone July, in 23 years, to not a drop in four of those years – 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2008. So Umgeni was taking a chance forecasting rain in July, but this time they were right.

Lastly, it is worth noting that Ken’s record-keeping started a year after the 1987 floods. In the first week of October 1987, between 800 and 900mm fell over four days, resulting in devastating floods from Verulam to Darnall in which 20 people died and roads, bridges and houses were washed away.

* * *

Perspective is everything.

Last week a bunch of politicians from the National Council of Provinces arrived to sing the praises of KwaDukuza municipality, pointing out that the clean audits over the past nine years show that it must be a well-run entity, as it was attracting substantial investment.

We have a story about it in this issue, as well as a letter from the DA which takes another view. It says that the municipality is financially stretched and hasn’t enough funds to finish urgent projects.

Our reporter asked KDM which investments the municipality was particularly proud of. The reply was the new Ballito interchange and Dube Tradeport. Mmm, the interchange is one thing, but the tradeport happens to be in Ethekwini Metro, not KwaDukuza. Small slip of the tongue . . .

It is my view that the municipality doesn’t do a bad job in a general sense. The roads and pavements are generally in reasonable nick, the streetlights work, refuse is carted away and we get our accounts on time. It could be a lot worse (have you seen Umtata lately?) and what is wrong will hopefully improve under the UIP. KwaDukuza can’t be blamed for power and water shedding, which are the shortcomings of Eskom and Umgeni Water or Department of Public Works, whichever is responsible for the Hazelmere dam wall fiasco.

* * *

A climber fell off a cliff and, as he tumbled down, he caught hold of a small branch.

“Help! Is there anybody up there?” he shouted.

A majestic voice boomed through the gorge:

“I will help you, my son, but first you must have faith in me.”

“Yes, yes, I trust you!” cried the man.

“Let go of the branch,” boomed the voice.

There was a long pause, and the man shouted up again, “Is there anybody else up there?”