EASTERN CAPE - WILL MAKHANDA HAVE ENOUGH WATER TO SUPPORT INCREASED FESTIVALGOERS?

The National Arts Festival is underway with a crowd larger than ever before but while the arts are celebrated, the water system of the city is under strain.

The festival is expected to boost the local GDP by R94-million, even while festivalgoers are asked to adhere to water restrictions.

National Arts Festival CEO, Tony Lankester said, "I think increasingly in this country we've become aware that we are living in a water ravaged country, drought is a very real issue and I think for a long time South Africans took water for granted."

While hundreds enjoy the non-stop entertainment, the municipality has been working around the clock to construct pipes to connect the east side of the town to the west side to ensure the taps don't run dry.

Hand sanitiser is freely available but this is not an option for residents seeking clean drinking water.

Residents hope the taps will continue flowing after the curtain closes on the festival this weekend.

via - ENCA