Page 6 - IFV_Issue 5_May_2022

Estate News

Photo credit: istock

Anna-Mart Steyn
“Winter is a time to slow down. To grab hold

of that wheel that spins your days too quickly
Dear Residents,
e are now heading into the and give it a firm tug. To let your thoughts
beginning of winter. catch up with your body. To pin down that idea
W For people who aren’t
fans of winter, animals that hibernate that’s been circling your mind for months. To
seem to have the right idea: it’s the
equivalent of burying your head under remember that life isn’t an emergency.”
the covers until spring comes – isn’t it?
Not quite. Despite what you may have – Kelsi Turner
heard, species that hibernate don’t
‘sleep’ during the winter. SUBSIDENCE QUEEN AND DUKE the installation of over 24 000 meters
Hibernation is an extended form of The Estate Management and during the 2021/22 financial year.
torpor, a state where metabolism is Directors are vigorously working to 2. These new meters will be installed
depressed to less than five percent of solve the problem of the subsidence for free.
normal. Now for us humans, that would at the corner of Queen and Duke 3. The City of Tshwane is required by
be fatal for our weight if – in the season Streets. According to the Council’s its by-laws and national legislation
where soups and stews are our daily geologist, one of the possible reasons to install smart pre-paid meters
meals – our metabolisms also decrease. for the subsidence of the soil can be for its entire customer base. Apart
I think those of us who always pick up a due to water in the nearby stands not from the legal requirements, it is an
bit of weight during the winter months being able to freely flow away into the essential part of the move to a smart
now have a great excuse – we can just stormwater system. energy grid. This will allow the City
say that we hibernated. Residents are kindly requested to to respond far more effectively to
ensure that water in their properties electricity issues and make it easier
WHAT KINDS OF ANIMALS is allowed to freely flow into the for residents to personally manage
HIBERNATE? stormwater system. their electricity usage and payments.
A bird and a variety of amphibians, Should you experience a problem
reptiles, and insects exhibit ELECTRICITY PRE-PAID with the pre-paid meters, you can
hibernation-like states. There is even at METERS phone the following numbers:
least one fish – the Antarctic cod – that The Estate Management was 012 358 3239 / 012 358 3238 /
slows down its metabolism in winter, made aware that the City of 012 358 3566 / 012 358 1674 /
becoming 1/20th less active – and of Tshwane is installing pre-paid 012 358 3201 / 012 358 3014 /
course, there are lots of mammals. meters at the houses in the estate. 012 358 302 / 012 358 6709. /
But let’s not hit the road walking If the issue can’t be resolved, kindly
in the early winter mornings or late On investigation it was established that: get in touch with the Acting Director:
afternoons instead of running, let us 1. The installation of the pre-paid meters Bulk supply Services – Ndivhuwo
just hibernate by taking life a bit slower. forms part of the roll-out that includes Lithole – ndivhuwol@tshwane.gov.za.

4 • Issue 5 2022 • The Villager