The average level for dams across the Western Cape for the week starting 28 May was 19% (2017: 18%). Last week at this time the level was 16.6%.

Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape says it is heartening to see dam levels increasing.

“Most major dams in the Western Cape are showing slight increases. The Voëlvlei dam (currently 16.6% full this week versus 14.2% last week), the Theewaterskloof dam (14.7% full this week versus 11.8% last week)) and the Bergriver Dam (42% full this week versus 37% last week) are all showing slight improvements.”

Bredell has cautioned that the drought is still far from over.

“We have always warned that we need an above average rainfall season and it needs to rain in the catchment areas for our dams to recover adequately. We are not close to feeling comfortable yet and we want to urge the public to continue to use water sparingly even if it is raining and even if dam levels are improving.”

Bredell says it is imperative that the dams in the province recover as much as possible ahead of the coming summer months.

“The province is a winter rainfall area and we are grateful that the rains seem to be coming this year.”

The prospects for more rain remain optimistic with the SA Weather Services (SAWS) predicting good rainfall as early as Monday Afternoon (28 May). This could lead to localised flooding in areas across the Western Cape.

Bredell has called on the public to contact the relevant disaster management entities as quickly as possible should an emergency occur.

He has also called on communities to cooperate with local authorities and emergency response personnel in the event of any emergency.

“The easiest number to remember to call in an emergency is 112. This number can be dialled toll-free from any cell phone.”

Wednesday the 23rd of May was World Turtle Day and the Two Oceans Aquarium’s conservation team hosted a party on their rooftop to ‘shellabrate’. I was lucky enough to be invited & that’s where I met the newest addition: a beautiful green sea turtle named Moya, but this little girl has been through a lot to get there.

Moya arrived at the Two Oceans Aquarium in October 2017 after being found washed up on a beach near Sedgefield. She was weak, dehydrated and had a nasty-looking flipper injury. The turtle rehab centre staff started her treatment with a course of antibiotic and antifungal medications, thinking that an internal infection may have been the cause of her poor health. Turtle metabolisms are quite slow and their digestive systems become particularly slow if they’ve been floating for a long time due to some distress. This seemed to be the case with Moya – even after weeks in their care, she wasn’t pooping at all.

The team became quite worried about this and after a series of tests and X-rays they realised her gut wasn’t working properly. They changed her diet; feeding her small amounts of protein and high volumes of roughage – lots of sea lettuce and some crunchy prawns and crabs. This had the desired effect and they are very happy with her progress.

Moya seems to be making friends with Bob and Sandy in the I&J Ocean Exhibit and being there will also allow her to have greater freedom and stimulation while the team observes her for long enough to be confident her intestinal issues are healed. She is a gentle and coy soul with a beautiful smile and like her rescue buddies Bob and Sandy, she ‘turtley’ loves a good back scratch!

Moya’s story proves that amazing accomplishments are possible when people work together.