Ncandu River’s new dawn is breaking; its waters immersed with unprecedented possibility.
The Newcastle Advertiser recently received word of a wide-scale clean-up at the Amcor Dam wall, and a portion of Ncandu River.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed Newcastle Municipality had contracted a local company to clean dam wall and adjacent waters of Pistia Stratiotes or ‘water cabbage’.
During a site visit, it was evident metamorphosis had taken place. The saying, ‘you have to see it to believe it’ rang true.
The physical removal of the water cabbage had reportedly taken place over the period of two and a half weeks. The extracted waste was later disposed of at a local dumpsite.
New river banks were constructed from scratch to account for heavy rains or potential flooding in the near future.
“The issue of water cabbage will only be sorted out once the sewage leaks have been dealt with. Once this is handled, nature will have a chance to deal itself,” claimed an unofficial source.
He said when comparing the difference between then and now, a significant change could be noted.
“Everything that could be scraped up, has been,” he said. “If everything comes right, people will be able to have picnics here.”
Further upstream
Untarnished by human contact, Mother Nature runs its course near the source of Ncandu River.
Local farmer, Craig Petersen, accompanied journalists to the untouched section of the river running through his land.
Mr Petersen stopped off at the weir and agreed to partake in an impromptu experiment to prove just how clean the water was.
“We paddle and swim in here. You can drink the water and you’d be 100 per cent fine. My children drink this water,” he said.
Staying true to his word, he consumed several handfuls of water directly from the river.
“The water is crystal clear right up until the town itself. Newcastle is in control of the state of Ncandu River,” he concluded.
With new developments and extractions taking place daily, it seems the winds of change are blowing.
What are your thoughts on the condition of Ncandu River? Email us at ncschools@caxton.co.za.
