While it is indeed true that the DA administration failed to heed its own strategic plan to deal proactively with the water crisis that has been forecast for many years, it will not help to cavil now. We need water and we need to save what little we have.
I have seen video clips of Mayor De Lille leading the charge from the front. With great courage she has knocked on doors and taken personal responsibility for placing new meters on properties with water-restricting devices where householders were using water excessively.
In one clip she explains to a Muslim woman whose water flow was in the process of being restricted that it was wrong of her to point to water wastage in the informal settlements as a way of absolving herself for not heeding the siren calls for everyone to save water. By the way, the woman’s view was erroneous.
Facing off against irate transgressors who like to see themselves above the law, and as citizens who are above the rest, and therefore entitled to use water how they will because they can pay whatever the charges are, takes real “apples” as one ad declares.
She has a fight on her hand and she is clearly equal to it. This is good for Cape Town.
I am very appreciative of the mayor having taken my suggestion that all billing statements should graphically reflect whether water usage for a household has been above the baseline or below it.
This will reveal to those who serially overuse water that they are violating their civic responsibility and need to be penalised.
Finally, I proposed in the December council meeting that we as councillors should be seen to be joining her and leading from the front also in respect of our own reduced water usage.
She indicated that a board would be erected in the council chamber to enable councillors to show that what they were asking others to do, is what they themselves are ready to comply with.