A resident in Fourways decided to make light of a situation and entertain his neighbours by enjoying his morning tea and a much needed “bath” in one of the sinkholes in their suburb.
Johannesburg, South Africa (08 June 2020) – Just this weekend, Nicholas decided to take a little morning “bath” in a massive sinkhole outside of his house, to bring attention to the problem.
Fourways water pipes are over 40 years old in the older parts and a lack of maintenance over the years have left the water system in dire straits.
It all started Monday last week for Nicholas when a huge water pipe burst on the shoulder of his property – leading to a river of precious water wasted – flowing through his garden and flooding the next houses down.
“The city of a Joburg arrived two days later after losing about 1.5 million litres of water. Worked through the night, fixed it only to realise that the pressure on the water system was too high causing at least three pipe bursts further down the system, including the one in the road with the sinkhole.
It’s been a stressful week for Fourways residence battling limited to no water supply, the uncertainty of kids going back to school and terribly managed and executed school starting, COVID-19 and just bad news everywhere we look.”
Nicholas, a resident in the Fourways area, decided to make light of the situation, see the humour and entertain his neighbours in Kestrel Avenue, Fourways by enjoying his morning tea and a much needed “bath” in one of the sinkholes in their suburb.
Photo Cred: Nicholas – Supplied
The neighbours were shocked to find him bathing in the road WITHOUT A MASK ON!
“What a beautiful morning enjoying my tea in the morning sun, being able to wash after enduring a week of no water and no open gyms to shower at like in the past. This beats any Virgin backup shower, basking in the morning sun and watch the joggers and cyclists at the same time.”
The one downside was that the water was so cold that he nearly lost a few toes to frostbite.
Nicholas says that the idea was really to make light and fun of a very serious situation; and that he might bring the spotlight onto the Fourways failing water system that hasn’t been maintained properly in over 40 years old.
“On top of that, Fourways just keeps building more and more complexes adding onto an already old and failing water system.
Where are we heading? Who is approving the building of new developments? Who is responsible for maintaining and upgrading infrastructure.
A question for city of Joburg mayor to perhaps answer?”
Photo Cred: Nicholas – Supplied
Sources: Interview with Nicholas | Good Things Guy
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