With reference to the letter from Professor Steven Robins about the closure of the Newlands spring and his question, “What is to be done?” (Cape Times, May 29).
Here is what I suggest, as one of those who collected water there for a number of years and enjoyed the social interaction that he writes of among the many ordinary people.
First, get permission from the City to erect a drinking fountain fed from the spring which runs as a spouting fountain (which will enable only drinking or collection in a cup, but not in containers) and falls into a large basin which then overflows down and into the river.
Ask the students at Stellenbosch engineering faculty to propose the structure with detailed plans for erection and water flow - a simple project for this faculty.
Ask a landscaping design company or CPUT to consult on a simple design and implementation of a replacement of the concrete with locally sourced Table Mountain granite flagstones.
Ask the community to contribute financially towards the construction (by volunteer carpenters of the Cape Flats community) of a simple arrangement of wooden benches (the CPUT - http://www.cput.ac.za/ also has excellent sources for the design of this) with perhaps a large, squared stone which would serve as a table for those who would like to sit and place a glass of water and rest while talking about life and reminiscing about the community.
I note that you are Professor of Sociology and Social Anthropology, and so this could serve as a perfect thesis for one of your post-graduate students.
How hard can this be? I know that the residents of the retirement home felt under strain from the throngs of people day and night in their street, but if the cul-de-sac is zoned no parking, people could park elsewhere (I doubt there would be the volume as before) and stroll down Springs Way, drink from the fountain or take a cup of water and sit awhile in the shade.
So there you are, Prof Robins, you’ve asked and I’ve answered - what about it? If this isn’t helping to build a community and create a space of harmony (desperately needed now), then I don’t know what is. And although I am a state pensioner, I would be prepared to contribute the first R500 to this project.
Yours in hope,
Robert de Vos
Simon’s Town