Gamtoos River Valley drought endangers citrus harvest
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Cape Town – With dam levels consistently dropping, Eastern Cape farmers are grappling with an unprecedented crisis endangering the citrus harvest, for those dependent on the Kouga Dam in particular.
Known for its citrus and dairy farming, the Gamtoos River Valley is buckling under a years-long drought, bringing farmers to their knees.
Due to the dwindling reserves, the 132 agricultural water users who rely on the dam for irrigation have been able to draw just 20% of their annual water quota since last July.
The Kouga Dam is currently at 6.55%, and the Gamtoos Irrigation Board (GIB) has warned water users that it cannot supply water adequately below the 3% water mark.
By Tremaine van Aardt - 02 March 2021
As the sun rose and glistened on the Gamtoos River at the weekend, Khoi headman Shaun Witbooi blew the horn outside the !Nau Kraal signalling the start of the three-day Links Royal House !Nau Ritual.
The sacred rite of passage, practised long before the arrival of the Dutch at the Cape of Good Hope, was brought to life at the weekend as Khoi-San leaders gathered along the river to welcome new recruits to their ranks.
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Parents of slain pregnant mom in anguish after grim discovery ‘Gentle soul’s’ murder shatters family PREMIUM By Riaan Marais - 22 December 2020
A Port Elizabeth woman on Monday tearfully recalled the chilling moment she realised her pregnant daughter was dead with a phone call from police about an hour and a half later confirming her worst fears.
Nelson Mandela Bay attorney Zaida Samodien , 33, was eight months pregnant when she was found beaten and stabbed to death on the side of the road near the Gamtoos River bridge.
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Husband in court after pregnant PE woman found murdered
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A 33-year-old man is due to appear in court in Humansdorp on Monday for the murder of his heavily pregnant wife.
Police spokesperson, Captain Mali Govender, said he was arrested on the scene on Friday morning on the N2 at Gamtoos River bridge.
She said a truck driver was traveling from Port Elizabeth to Jeffreys Bay when he saw a blue sedan in the middle of the road with both front doors open.
Govender said he stopped to investigate and saw no one, but she said after noticing traces of blood he called the police.