In the heart of Pellsrus, a small community nestled in Kouga, a young boy once harboured dreams of becoming a Springbok rugby player.
Today, at 39, Llewellyn Johnson, foreman at Kouga Local Municipality’s waterworks in Jeffreys Bay, channels that same unwavering determination and fervent passion into the vital task of ensuring clean water for the residents of Jeffreys Bay.
Under his leadership, the municipality has significantly reduced its dependency on water from the Churchill Dam, cutting it from a substantial 70% to a lean 40% – fortifying robust water security measures for the area.
And this reduction in dependency is just the beginning.
Nevertheless, the journey to becoming a foreman was not without its challenges; it required unwavering resilience and determination every step of the way.
Johnson’s ‘s journey began with a deep-seated love for rugby, which took him to Cape Town after school. There, he played for Wesbank, following a successful stint with the Eastern Province team.
However, the call of home and family proved too strong to resist, leading him back to Kouga.
In April 2010, Johnson started his career at Kouga Local Municipality as a contract worker doing bush clearing at the waterworks in Jeffreys Bay. “It was hard work for little money, but I was grateful for the opportunity,” he recalls.
Tackling each day with enthusiasm, he quickly made an impression. His diligent efforts did not go unnoticed, and he was soon entrusted with more responsibilities.
By 2015, Johnson was appointed as a process controller at the waterworks. Just a year later, he was acting foreman, and in 2018, he was permanently appointed to the position.
Reflecting on his rise through the ranks, Johnson says, “I started from the bottom and worked hard.
“My vision for the waterworks has always been clear – I dreamed big.”
His hard work behind the scenes has been instrumental in ensuring water security for the residents of Jeffreys Bay.
Under his leadership, the newly erected water purification plant in Jeffreys Bay – one of four purification plants across the region – purifies transforms 3 million liters of borehole water per day, with the potential to double this output to 6 million liters per day.
He proudly shares, “We have reduced our reliance on water from the Churchill Dam from 70% to only 40% – dramatically cutting our water bill from the Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality.”
Johnson’s future plans are ambitious. “Our goal is to boost our borehole water supply to achieve complete independence from the Churchill Dam. I want to ensure a sufficient water supply not only for Jeffreys Bay, but for all towns in the Kouga region.
Beyond his professional achievements, Johnson, who attributes his success to divine guidance, is committed to his team. “My mission is not just to lead but to train and improve my workers,” he emphasises.
When not working, Johnson, who is married with three children, dedicates time to coaching his son and his son’s friends in rugby – with his son playing the same position he once did, number 9.
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