So Day Zero has been moved to 9 July. That’s good news.
The aim was to move the date when taps run dry all the way back to winter, and hope the expected rains bring some relief.
But with the unpredictable changes in weather patterns, we can’t rely on Mother Nature to top up our dams.
We, as Capetonians, have to keep saving water and stick to the 50 litres a day rule for some time to come.
Because cutting down consumption ultimately saves more water than augmentation schemes - desalination plants, underground water, etc.
Well, that’s the word from the City of Cape Town, anyway.
Yet, there are still those who believe that Day Zero is a hoax.
This week there were marches and protests by Cape Flats water activists, accusing the City of mismanaging the crisis and using Day Zero as a “scare tactic”.
The drought has been mismanaged, that’s a fact.
But to call Day Zero “fake news”? Is there any evidence to prove that it’s a hoax?
And if they’re wrong, are they ready for the consequences should the day arrive? No.
So they should stop this nonsense and instead focus on other issues, like the water meters.
The blue plastic devices are driving mense bedonnerd, with countless residents complaining that the gadgets - which are forced on property owners at a cost of R4000 each - keep breaking and running up huge bills.
Communities gatvol of the meters have taken to chasing away the installation guys, who just show up outside homes unannounced and pop them in the ground.
There’s a good cause.
Or why not take aim at Mmusi Maimane?
The DA leader this week congratulated all the “Day Zero heroes” for their selfless efforts to defeat Day Zero and push it back to 9 July.
“I would like to sincerely thank the private water transfer providers from Groenland, whose water transfer has significantly helped to push back Day Zero this week,” he said.
“I am enormously grateful for their commitment to the people of the Western Cape. They have joined many businesses, as well the agricultural sector, in making a huge effort to cut consumption and Defeat Day Zero.”
Yep, the DA has come up with some brilliant ideas to avert the crisis - involving citizens, business and farmers.
So you see, they knew what to do all along.
They were just slapgat and left it way too late.