Rain: *‼̰à in San

For most people around the world, rain is seen as a weather hazard. In South Africa and Namibia, rain is celebrated and the subject of frequent conversations. Reminiscent of Belgians asking themselves whether the sun will shine today… just in ‘reverse’.

The rain that we got on Friday 26 January and again on Friday 2 February did not go unnoticed. First time in many years that the land got such a downpour, for which benefits will unfold in the next few months. 

Let’s talk numbers to realize the impact of such an event and how it dwarfs any well-meaning (human) effort to irrigate. 20mm on 26/01 and 2mm on 02/02 mean that each square meter on the property got c. 22 liters of water. Given the size of the property, 2’860’000’000 liters of rain water fell from the skies. Enough to fill 1’100 olympic swimming pools in a few hours.

No wonder that:

• a hardened soil struggles to absorb such a volume, and 

• our utmost efforts are required to retain and maximize this blessing

Current temperatures (up to 42 degrees at this time of the year) and sparse vegetation mean that the soil is “baked”, resembling a crust. Stones, shrubs and trees break that pattern. So do sandy river beds that will be much more permeable. Up to a certain level.

As evidenced by pictures taken on Johannes and Matheus’ phones, when water finds a slope and a way, then things quickly get out of hand. It gushes and carries everything with it: topsoil, newly rooted bushes or entire trees. Continuing its descent towards lower ground, eventually reaching the sea. 

The farmhouse stands at an altitude of 674m, whilst the mountain top summits at 820m and the canyon (Löwen River bed) at 620m. Ideal landscape to create momentum and a dynamic scenery, aspiring to the Okavango delta that will perpetually change. Without any dikes, gabions or swales, the water will quickly run off onto the neighboring plains.

It is therefore important that we task ourselves to create obstacles and retain water as long as possible. Drawing inspiration from successful examples in Australia and Eastern Africa (justdiggit.org). 

We could not be ready this year. Our ambition is to do a better job as soon as possible. Bring your swimsuit 🥽