In a dire warning, Ladysmith industrialists have warned that the continued effects of water-shedding or water rationing to businesses in the Danskraal industrial estate could cost jobs in both the short and long term.
“We are talking about 4000 jobs here, a weekly salary bill of over R8 million that will be lost to the Ladysmith economy,” explained Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Mike Wood.
While the job losses are not imminent, some factories are able to carry their workers through the period, absorbing the losses in production, while others have already begun to put staff on short-time.
The impact of short-time can be just as devastating to breadwinners.
The warning is simple: without a guaranteed source of water, many businesses in the area may have to move to towns where water is not an issue. While no one is saying that businesses will move yet, the fear is there. Other towns with ample labour forces and a ready supply of water are making moving a very attractive option.
How long has Spioenkop been plagued with an erratic electricity supply, but only now are uThukela even thinking about putting in a back-up generator? The fear is that it may be too little too late!
The Chamber stressed that businesses in Danskraal suffer the same restrictions as Observation Hill. When they have water, Danskraal has. Nobody can run a business like that and survive!
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