15 August 08h30
The situation has improved since yesterday, and all pumps are now operational. Purification is in process.
The following residences still have NO water: Amina Cachalia; Calata; Ellen Kuzwayo; Margaret Smith; Rosa Parks; Cullen Bowles; Joe Slovo; Chris Hani; Prince Alfred; Allan Gray
All other residences DO have water.
PLEASE NOTE: All students in residences without water are welcome to use the showers and laundry facilities of those residences with water today.
- 2 litres of drinking water are still available per student per day at affected dining halls at meal times Tanks are being refilled daily to enable the flushing of toilets in all residences without water
- wet wipes are available for hygiene purposes;
- the University is still monitoring the impact of the lack of water on student health; please go to the Health Care Centre for medication and assistance
Water should be at full pressure in all areas by this afternoon. Please ensure that all taps in residences are closed, to avoid flooding when the water starts running again.
Thanks to everyone who joined the protest march yesterday: it was heartening to see such a diverse range of staff, students and concerned citizens united in their outrage over this unacceptable situation. As a result, there has been good media coverage.
In the open letter to the Mayor, “Rhodes University called for intervention at the highest level of government and requested an urgent investigation at the provincial and national government levels into water supply and water quality in Makana. Rhodes also called upon the ministers of Higher Education and Training, Public Works, Water Affairs and Provincial and Local Government and the Eastern Cape MEC for Local Government to ensure that water security in Makana is secured for current and future generations.
My sincere thanks to our Wardens, subwardens and house committees for their leadership during this difficult time, and to all students for their patience and tolerance.
Vivian de Klerk
DEAN OF STUDENTS