Category Archives: Guest Posts / Press Releases

Interesting political and social commentary posts from sources other than blog author, Mike Hampton.

Yet More Plans for Water for Knysna

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The local Knysna and Bitou municipalities within the Eden region recently experienced the worst drought in over hundred years. This resulted in severe water restrictions being implemented in these municipalities. The drought necessitated the considering of cross-boundary projects as identified in Eden’s Regional Bulk Water Masterplan. The regional integration of bulk water supplies of the two municipalities was subsequently, in collaboration with the two municipalities, identified as a key project requiring implementation.

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The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

SA Banks Keep Up Attack on New Era

Mike Hampton Posted on by

It’s damn hard being the good guy when the bad guys have most of the money. I empathize with NewEra. They’ve worked damn hard under extreme conditions to get truth into court. Here’s the latest attempt to squash them: The bewildering events surrounding the NewERA court case continue. The Directors of the non-profit organization have been ordered to appear in Court this Tuesday to explain why they should not pay the opposition’s legal costs in their personal capacity. A copy of this order is available on request. Investec Bank obtained … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Knysna Stormwater & Sewer Connection Audit Begins

Mike Hampton Posted on by

A door-to-door audit of Knysna’s stormwater and sewerage connections starts this week. The audit is a key project within the ongoing Knysna Estuary Pollution Action Plan, which was launched by the municipality in association with several other stakeholders last year to reduce pollution into the Knysna Lagoon. Knysna Municipal Manager Lauren Waring, who is also the chairperson of the Knysna Estuary Pollution Control Task Committee, said the audit was aimed at detecting and correcting illegal stormwater and sewer connections as well as a determining the overall status of these systems … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

What Happened With the Fire in Belvidere?

Mike Hampton Posted on by

On Friday 26 April at approximately 9.30am, a serious fire started at the so called Margaret’s Viewpoint on the Brenton road, overlooking Belvidere. Plumes of smoke were clearly visible from Knysna town. Within three hours, the fire seemed to be out of control and had raced most of the way down the hill to the redundant railway line below. Half an hour after that, the flames, having already circumvented Belvidere Heights, were licking at the fences of properties in Belvidere’s Upper Duthie Drive, threatening house and hold. Questions need to … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Knysna Municipality Wasting Money on Printing?

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Dear Lauren Waring, Each month I receive separate notification of rates and taxes on one bill, and electricity and water in the other. For some reason the Municipality choose to send me copies of your newsletters (and for example your recent note about debt write offs) with both accounts. Presumably your staff do the same with all other customers. So isn’t this duplication of effort doubling your printing bill unnecessarily? You’re supposed to be saving money, not squandering it. I look forward to your explanation (or that of one of … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

New Director for Corporate Services

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The Knysna Municipality has appointed Bevan Ellman as new Director Corporate Services. Mr Ellman takes on the position previously held by Mr Reggie Smit, whose contract had ended with the municipality at the end of last year. Mr Gumbi Tyelela has been acting in this position for the past two months. The Knysna Municipal Manager said she and her staff were looking forward to working with Mr Ellman. “His experience at all levels of the municipal environment will be of great value to our organisation and will bring a new … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Implementation of the Knysna Estuary Pollution Action Going Well

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The implementation of the Knysna Estuary Pollution Action Plan is well underway and is starting to show positive results. Knysna Municipal Manager Lauren Waring, who is also the chairperson of the Knysna Estuary Pollution Control Task Committee, said several projects within the Plan were completed while on-going programmes were starting to prove successful in reducing contamination into lagoon. “The Action Plan addressed three main sources of pollution into the estuary: the sewer network including the Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), polluted river systems that run through informal settlements into the … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Director Planning and Development Appointed

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The Knysna Municipality has appointed Mr Mike Maughan-Brown as Director Planning and Development. The town’s former Manager Town Planning and Building Control has been acting in his newly appointed position for most of last year in addition to his duties as manager. His appointment is effective immediately and is, like all senior management posts at the Municipality, a five-year contract position. Municipal Manager Lauren Waring said she was delighted to retain the experience and expertise of Mr Maughan-Brown who had served the town for many years, both as Manager Town … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!