Gauteng Smallholder June 2016 | Page 12

NEWS Drought: E Gauteng rain more than last season W ith the heavy showers experienced over Gauteng in mid-May you'd be forgiven for asking “Drought? What drought?” For in reality the most recent rainy season was much wetter than the previous one, by more than 250mm. For the rainy season from September to May 2016 we recorded 869mm in Eastern Gauteng. The rainfall for the same period in 2014/5 was only 606mm. The problem with this year's rainfall, however, was that it fell in relatively few, heavy showers, with long periods of hot, dry weather in between. While Eastern Gauteng's Continued on page 12 KYALAMI ROAD From page 8 will go out of business if the area is destroyed,” claims Gekco. Along with the road is a proposed sewer line, required by the Pivotal Fund, developers of the Kyalami Village shopping centre on the corner of the R55 and Main Road, but which will be used by other developers if it goes ahead. Its route goes through a bird sanctuary in Beaulieu, and cuts through Kyalami and Glenferness, joining an existing sewer line near William Nicol Drive. The sewer line will enable high- density development along its route, and numerous applications have already been submitted, Gekco claims. The sewer line is currently being contested in court by Gekco. “The end result is that the ambitions of a few developers, who want to make a fast profit, are jeopardising the livelihoods of thousands who work in a unique and irreplaceable local industry. Most seriously, a vulnerable section of the population will be affected, who cannot simply relocate to a new area at will, and whose resources are already thinly stretched 10 www.sasmallholder.co.za due to supporting numerous dependants,” claims Gekco. For more information: Kristin Kallesen cell 083 600-6091, chairperson of the Greater Kyalami Conservancy