Current status of the farm ( Thanks to Glen for this report)

a.       Roads: The roads in most parts have been badly damaged; having been badly eroded after mitre drains quickly filled up with silt and were bypassed by the large volumes of water rushing down the lengths of the roads. River crossings in some cases have become hardly recognisable, covered in debris and eroded or built up with sand deposits (probably belonging to our roads). Other roads hold mud traps that aren’t obvious until you find yourself buried up to your axels in mud, leaving little chance of escape. A few roads are not all that bad, but unfortunately lead onto other roads that are impassable, requiring that the entire route has to be closed to traffic. In other cases most of the road is still fine, but the 5 meter section of badly damaged road makes the whole road impassable. For this very reason, most of the roads remain closed to traffic. The main access roads are accessible and shareholders are at least able to reach their residences.

Some of the badly damaged roads have dried out to such an extent that it is not possible for our light equipment to grade them and we will require more rain in order to do so. In other areas (particularly seep lines), the roads are still too wet for a tractor to get through. Over the next few days, I will continue to assess the condition of the roads and will open them as conditions allow. We have lost a lot of road material and this will have to be collected from old and new mitre drains to be used to cap the road surfaces and to fill the numerous gullies and dongas.

Conclusion: We are probably expecting too much so soon after the cyclone. We will be dealing with the scars from the cyclone for a very long time.

b.      Fences: Our priority  at this stage is to continue replacing damaged fences. (and to repair damaged roads).  We are still busy replacing the fence below Joubert’s house. Once completed we will begin replacing the section of fence between ourselves/Inkonkoni and Boston before repairing the fences on northern Vienna.

• Farm remains closed

Glen will monitor the road situation on a daily basis. Shareholders will be kept informed of the unfolding developments. In the interim the farm remains closed.

Regards

Mary

For and on behalf of

Jejane Private Nature Reserve

P.S. Email notifications:

 Occasionally, notifications of emails undelivered as the recipients inbox is full are received. Often it is easy to resend the emails later, but there are instances when the recipients address is given in numbers. If you have missed an email, please contact me at gld@mweb.co.za and you will be forwarded the missing email. 

Tel: + 27 11 706 2421
Mobile: 083 297 1280
Email: gld@mweb.co.za

20/01        Friday Rain Update
21/01        Saturday news
23/01        Monday update
24/01        Tuesday update
26/01       Thursday update
28/01         FARM REOPENS, Factory parking, water damage to houses water quality