By Alec Hogg
Our relocation to Hermanus coincided with what residents describe as the harshest winter in recent memory. Gale-force winds knocked down Eskom power pylons, and torrential rains delayed electrical repairs for days.
Things escalated last month when the region saw floodwaters rise to unprecedented levels, exceeding 100-year floodlines. These floods didn’t just disrupt life; they obliterated significant infrastructure, washing away 57 meters of the main water supply pipes and numerous bridges.
___STEADY_PAYWALL___Coming from the relatively calm weather of the Highveld, this has been a drastic shift for us. But here’s the silver lining: I’ve remained in high spirits, thanks to Hermanus’ remarkable Executive Mayor, Dr. Annelie Rabie. She’s not just a skilled communicator who speaks directly and frequently to the community; she also uses social media brilliantly.
This challenging winter has put Dr. Rabie and her team under enormous pressure. After the water line was washed away, we expected at least three weeks without a supply. However, ingenuity—best described by the South African expression “maak ‘n plan”—expedited the restoration of the town’s water supply. Last night, just six days into the Mother Nature enforced ‘drought’, I was able to shower again.
Hermanus is part of the Overstrand, one of South Africa’s best-managed local governments. Our firsthand experience here illustrates the power of strong leadership and skilled governance. It proves that when the right people are in charge, the system does work—something to ponder as SA’s 2024 elections approach.
Sterkte
Alec
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