WHEN I moved to the village of Paarl eight years ago, this was going to be the paradise I’d always dreamt of. How wrong I was!
Now, while Paarl and Wellington are once again celebrating the harvest, I wonder who is taking responsibility for slowly killing off the inhabitants with their so-called harmless anti-fungicides, leaving us all sick and debilitated during the spray season.
My health problems started since my move to Paarl. Every year I get sick and every year my next door neighbour needs to be admitted to hospital and is sent home armed with an asthma inhaler to help her survive the season.
And every year the residents seem to resign themselves to the fact that they are going to feel sick because it is how it is – “that time of year again”.
Well, I’ve got news for you: these sprays don’t only induce sinusitis, hay fever, asthma and other cardio-vascular problems; it also severely affects the nervous system, which could lead to depression or aggressive and violent behaviour.
Over a period of time the slow toxic built-up in the body of these poisons can have a much more chronic and serious effect on the over-all health and well-being of the community.
It is time that the people from this village say enough is enough – the farmers and other role players like the wineries must start taking responsibility for the impact their outdated and irresponsible farming methods have on the community and the environment.
It is time for these institutions to stop just thinking about their profits and start to research and invest in environmentally friendly (organic) farming methods.
We the people demand answers and outcome solutions.
