Don't lose hope for Jozi

A lifetime ago, in a newsroom far away, a journalist colleague said they did not like watching M-Net's Carte Blanche because it was so depressing.

- Martin Williams

A lifetime ago, in a newsroom far away, a journalist colleague said they did not like watching M-Net's Carte Blanche because it was so depressing. "Yeah, wrist-slitting stuff," said another. This week's Carte Blanche segment on Joburg Water's woes at various excavations in Randburg was an example.

Despite some jocularity, word play and gimmicks with props such as a snorkel and goggles, fishing rods and swimming tubes, it was ultimately a tale of despair. We were left with the impression that several gaping, water-filled holes would never be fixed. A hopeless situation.

This gloom was later compounded during discussions among councillors. Colleagues said Joburg's water and sewer infrastructure has passed its tipping point.

Joburg Water "cannot keep up with repairing all the bursts and blockages due to old, failing infrastructure.

"Soon, certain areas/suburbs will be unliveable as water and sewer pipes disintegrate."