One Year Anniversary

This coming week is the one-year anniversary from when we started our first project namely

the George Rex Drive pothole project. How little did we know then of what the future will

hold.

Looking back, it has been a rocky road at times, but I am proud of what the KIG has achieved and done for Knysna this year. Very true words spoken many times, “we don’t know where Knysna would have been without the KIG’s interventions” come to mind when we reflect.

Our focus has remained constant on ensuring that the Greater Knysna and its environment is

sustained through water security for all and the prevention of pollution of our estuary from

sewerage flow.

Not to go into too many detail of all the projects and interventions that the KIG has been

involved in during this time, I do believe it is prudent to highlight some of the main

achievements:

1. Water security

It is with confidence that I can say that if it was not for the KIG and our interventions

Knysna as a whole town, like so many other Municipalities in SA, would have run dry

many a time.

The KIG jumped in when both the main water lines from Charlesford pump station was

compromised at the same time, resulting in no water feed from the Knysna river. Not

only did KIG manage to source the resources, and heavy equipment to have the line

restore, but the KIG had to fund the whole operation to ensure Knysna will secure a

water supply.

More recently, in October, the KIG’s interventions secured and resolved funding,

equipment and software solutions, for the Charlesford pump station after all pumps

failed with no backup pumps available. Funds that were earmarked though a Water

Grant from Provincial Government, and which was supposed to have been released in

August, was finally made available only after the KIG’s intervention with the Provincial

Premier. We were able to purchase the new pumps sourced by Grundfoss and the KIG.

This after the KIG and a local contracted committed to a R 1m guarantee of payment

to Grundfoss for the release of one pump as an emergency, due to funding delays.

As of now Knysna water supply is somewhat secure, Akkerskloof Dam is back up to

45,2% from a low of 4,4%.

2. WWTP and sewerage

On the 18 December it will mark one year since the KIG and Regional Wastewater

(RWW) met with the KM and offered its assistance in resolving the tragic state of the

WWTP and the sewerage network.

It is sad to say that notwithstanding many interventions, Directives, Section 154 and

139 notices, Knysna has seen no action nor funding from KM nor the Provincial

Government in restoring the WWTP to a working state.

The WWTP has been totally dysfunctional for more than a year, with no maintenance,

no staff and therefore no treatment of sewerage entering the plant.

Notwithstanding many meetings, reports, quotations and support plans submitted to

both KM and Provincial Government, neither one of the governing bodies has come to

light with any support, financially or otherwise.

As it stands today, the WWTP is operation only because of the KIG and RWW’s

commitment to Knysna and its residents. Together we have reestablished the WWTP

in September this year and has been managing and running the plant daily with a

permanent engineering resource on-site, funded by the KIG. Additional to this,

notwithstanding many requests for KM to source the required chemicals on their RFQ

appointed suppliers, KIG and RWW must supply such chemicals at our own cost.

We have committed to continue the support of the plant on a full-time basis till end

of December, after which our current funding levels will not be able to continue

supporting the continued management. Sad to say the KM has not employed any

staff or replacements, to be trained or to take over this function.

KIG will have to investigate alternative options for supporting the operations in 2025.

3. Funding

None of the above would have been possible without the generous support from

several donations, this list may be too long to name them all, but I will fail by not

mentioning specially Duran de Villiers, ALTI and AER Aviate. Without their support

we would not have been able to do the work on the WWTP.

Below a summary of the work and funds spend this year as we are accountable to our

doners, on how the funds were used. Knysna residents are indebted to all of you!

Thank you!

YEAR ahead 2025

The holiday season is on us, and as the KIG we will do our utmost to support the infrastructure teams during this time, ensuring that our visitors experience the beauty we are so fortunate to experience each day as a resident of Knysna.

We have by no means resolved all our challenges and possibly never will, but through

dedication and hard work I am convinced that these challenges will become less in number

and nature.

I wish all wonderful festive season, may Knysna flourish and may we showcase Knysna to

the world.

Any enquiries regarding detailed reports on any of the funded projects, funding and/or on

the KIG’s work can be direct to:

Eugene Vermaak – 072-617-4242

Pierre van Biljon- 084-234-5350

John Metelerkamp – 082-551-5102