What do you do if you are a policeman and people start drawing water from say, the graveyard?
And this has got nothing to do with the police van which was photographed by colleague, Herman Steyn, loaded with containers of water, against the backdrop of shortages in Modimolle’s Phagameng township.
From a personal — not journalism perspective — dry taps are a reality that hits one between the eyes.
First and foremost I had to think of ways to bring water into our humble home, for the sake of especially the children.
That was when I just had to abandon the camera and go around looking for water.
Most probably comfortable at his desk back in Bela-Bela, the editor was breathing on my neck, wanting to know how far I was with the water crisis story.
Instead of telling the truth about my own family’s water situation, I mumbled something like the story was about to be concluded shortly.
Then to make things worse, as I ran between the editor’s “water crisis” and finding water for loved ones, I returned home to find a break-in at my Phagameng home.
Again the editor was curious about the motive.
Was it about an article I was about to publish?
I personally don’t think so, and I retorted likewise to the editor.
The water supplies have resumed in dribs and drabs in my neck of the woods, and the camera can now take its place at my shoulder.
— The BEAT
