Umtamvuna Views: Unsung heroes emerge every day

There are so many unsung heroes in the community. From individuals on our ratepayers’ associations to ordinary members of the public who offer help quietly and look out for their neighbours. Your scribe comes across many amazing individuals, but sadly cannot blow all their trumpets. There are also a number of animal lovers who care about little creatures from feral cats to baby night adders.

ALSO READ : Umtamvuna Views: Consider becoming a committee member

With feral cat colonies (and other animals), feeding alone is not the answer, but trapping, sterilising and releasing back into their territory seems the only long term solution. A local vet took up the call to assist with the feral cat explosion at the Wild Coast Sun Hotel and Casino Resort. Dave, Julia and Gordon Watson sterilised more than 20 cats and euthanised five that were suffering over a period of two weekends.

They also rescued a box full of cute kittens that would have lived a life of misery scavenging for scraps, but hopefully will find happy forever homes now. Thank you and well done to the Watson family.

The water crisis in the whole Ugu district worsens. Not only is the entire water infrastructure collapsing, but Ugu staff are now protesting over work conditions and unfair dismissals. Workers who wish to work are intimidated and threatened with their lives.

The situation has become desperate. Some areas in Munster have had no water for two weeks.

Every town along the Lower South Coast has suffered with no water in taps for days on end. Public static tanks have all dried up and because of the strike are not being replenished. Carrel Beaver at Port Edward Library reports that she has people begging for water all day. Sewage tanks are not being emptied and are overflowing. The situation is dire and a total disgrace.

The Ray Nkonyeni rabies inoculation campaign began on Monday this week. The Port Edward venue was very busy with a steady stream of yapping canines. The SPCA mobile unit was also in attendance offering discounted micro chipping and five-in-one vaccinations. The unit will move steadily northwards during the week.

Port Edward Ratepayers’ Association held its AGM last week. It was poorly attended and a new committee was elected. A chairman is yet to be decided upon.

The community borehole at the Methodist Church collapsed a few weeks ago and is currently undergoing repairs. It should be up and running shortly. It has been invaluable to residents during the ongoing water crisis.

They say that a person’s true character only shows during a crisis and this current service delivery failure has certainly highlighted those caring, hardworking and unselfish members in our communities. A big thank you to all you heroes out there…big and small.

All news to Philippa.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE