LINKSFIELD – Rand Aid recovers after floods damage their infrastructure.
Nkululeko Zilibokwe
Truckloads of rubble were removed by Rand Aid from the Jukskei River.
Rand Aid management, staff members and their families worked through the night after the recent floods forced the evacuation of 59 residents of the Ron Smith Care Centre from their rooms.
Resident, Jill Jones of the Rand Aid-run centre spoke on behalf of fellow residents and said that they would like to thank staff and management from the bottom of their hearts for the rapid response.
“When the recent floods occurred and all the ground floor residents were evacuated to the hall, all the staff from management downwards were here working past midnight, mopping and cleaning up,” said Jones.
The floods caused extensive damage to Rand Aid’s communication infrastructure.
“They made a huge effort and our rooms were spotless when they had finished after being filled with water, mud and debris just a few hours before.”
Wim Pieterse, Rand Aid’s general manager of finance added, “Everyone was amazing, they all just climbed in.
“The footbridge over the Jukskei River between Tarentaal and the care centre was washed away, and with that all our connections. Our security and computer systems were affected and we had to install wireless dishes.”
In addition, fencing and security cameras were washed away but have since been reinstalled.
A team of Rand Aid workers spent days removing rubble and debris from the Jukskei River once the pressing work had been done.
