Work at the farm is progressing. Last week we managed to get some of the old painted roof sheets up and hope to finish this week. Then we will connect the gutter outlet to our rainwater tank , tackle the windows and pray for rain. We will be making our own windows out of polycarbonate roof sheet as well as making sieves for separating coarse stones from gravel and later for composting. Following that, renovating the floor and installing the bathroom.

 

I am looking forward to this – I believe there is a need for well made sieves, I am interested to see how the windows do and of course getting my back into mixing concrete and doing some brickwork.

 

I have appealed again to the powers that be for an intervention in the finalisation of the divorce case as well as a conclusion to the murder case to no avail. Although I am completely ignored I know God hears every prayer and justice will be done. Thank You, Lord!

 

I really enjoy working with Brother Joe and believe this is an initiative that The Lord has begun and we must be faithful to carry on to completion. So we will. This weekend I was invited to join some friends for a weekend away just south of Ramsgate. We explored the neighbouring towns of Margate and Uvongo and really enjoyed the time away.

 

    

 

 

Now its back to work and I am also engaged in designing a rainwater harvesting system for a block of flats in the context of disruptive and unpredictable water supply which is most interesting. Recent data acquired from the nearest weather station and google research seems to indicate a possibility of an increase in the number of severe weather incidents and a drought approaching. So while a system has been designed to optimise harvesting of the existing rainfall pattern for 2025 the bigger question is, can more be done to accommodate a drier climate with a higher prevalence of severe weather events? An interesting dilemma indeed but one that must be properly addressed in the light of failing existing water supply in the large eThekwini municipal boundary and the prospect of svere weather changes. The photo below shows a recent leak... water pumped over 100km, treated just to be delivered to stormwater drains and released to the river and the sea..

 

 

 

No doubt many Boards of Trustees all over the country are facing a similar dilemma. One of the issues arising is the question of when can local water supply systems be integrated into existing potable supply, what are the standards and how are these maintained? Are existing bylaws still valid if the potable water supply cannot be guaranteed?

 

On the flip side, our sewer systems are also failing. Overloaded, frequent blockages, frequent pump station failures leading to frequent if not constant pollution of streams, rivers and beaches. Such a pity in the context of beautiful surroundings..

 

    

 

The common denominator in all of this is that there are no concrete action plans and committed finance to address these issues. A very sorry state of affairs indeed. Communities are being forced to take matters into their own hands while from Cabinet level down our government seems to be falling apart. New just in.. the resignation of our President...