[imagesource:robbenisland.org]

Regular maintenance seems to remain missing from governments vocab, and this time it’s our world-famous Robben Island that has been neglected, resulting in work to the tune of R250 million needed to fix and refurbish the iconic island.

A total of R112 million has already been spent towards maintenance, but there’s more decay than can be fixed by that amount, hence the ballooning maintenance bill. Perhaps if it was a ministerial home things would be different.

Residents of Robben Island rely on water supplied from Cape Town for their daily consumption, as the desalination plant on the island has been non-functional since February of this year.

According to Avelino Rocha, the facilities manager for the department, fixing the plant has presented difficulties as the equipment cannot be locally produced. He said that none of the required components is locally sourced; everything must be imported.

“We repair what is broken. As we repair the membrane, we see that the pump is faulty or the valve is rusted. These are all factors adding to the delay of (getting) the plant up and running.”

Seems like a fitting metaphor for South Africa.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, toured the site on June 22 and was shown the level of neglect to buildings and other structures including issues with the asbestos roofing, which is a major issue.

Following the visit, Zikalala had the usual to say about the issues.

“We want to ensure that this area is preserved as it was but in a modernised way. And the legacy it has and the manner in which it brings inspiration to society. It will require us to ensure that it is preserved in a high quality.”

Problem identified, call on society to be inspired and promise a new, better future. Then it’s back on the boat for lunch at the Waterfront. Pats on the back all around for the visit.

Back on the neglected island that once imprisoned our only respected president, drinking water still needs to be ferried from the mainland.

“We also have borehole pumps. The same service provider that we have here, they decant water to all the tourist spots with tanks and pumps. So there is water on the island but if you want to drink the water, you drink from the mainland.”

Some of the upgrades to the island include the restoration of the Blue Stone Quarry Wall, a desalination plant upgrade, a diesel plant reticulation, a harbour precinct upgrade, and a new floating jetty among other refurbishments and maintenance projects.

Professor Saths Cooper, Robben Island Museum chair, believes that the island can be self-sustainable if all the relevant departments pull fingers and ‘collaborate on replacing, repairing, refurbishing, and preserving its original feel and historical significance.’

“Because we have a national heritage as well as a Unesco world heritage, which requires minimum criteria. Once those are met, and we trust those will be met within the next year, we believe the island will be fit for purpose as the true beacon of the life of this country.”

[source:capetownetc]