As around 1 700 Rhodes University students prepare to graduate next weekend, Grahamstown B&Bs and hotels are pulling out all the stops to ensure that friends and parents flocking to the city for the celebrations can at least have a decent shower.
As around 1 700 Rhodes University students prepare to graduate next weekend, Grahamstown B&Bs and hotels are pulling out all the stops to ensure that friends and parents flocking to the city for the celebrations can at least have a decent shower.
Still reeling from the recent week-long water outages, accommodation providers have had to dig deep into their pockets to ensure smooth service delivery during the three days of ceremonies and celebrations.
Belvedere B&B owner, Annalise Bosch, has taken has taken the measure of installing special pumps and buying large tanks, at great cost, which she fills with rain and municipal water.
"It cost me thousands, but you need to satisfy the customer," Bosch said.
"We are fully booked and you can’t tell your guests they can’t shower."
Charles Pretorius of the Graham Hotel has taken similar measures.
"We had to buy our own containers which we fill up with water from the farms and game reserves," Pretorius said.
"We can only do our best to accommodate everyone."
High Corner Guest House have ordered and paid for water tanks, and are keeping their fingers crossed that they arrive in time, a staff member said.
The business owners aid that while the situation was back under control, there was no telling when the next water crisis would hit.
"They’re going to kill the economy of this place," Bosch said, referring to the municipality.
"People book way in advance for accommodation and it’s a special occasion for them. We can’t let them down."
