The taken away of the “Rooi Pomp and the fill up of the borehole caused great damage to the Cathedral because that used to be the drainage system of the water from below the Cathedral many people used to get the water from the “Rooi Pomp”. The reduction in the use of the ground water has a sad consequense when three pillars and part of the Cathedral’s roof collapsed in 1986 because of rising damp that had penetrated the structure.
The Pella community will forever be grateful towards the Gold Fields Foundation who in that time of trouble not only had the building restored to its former glory but also strengthens the pillars.
But to avoid the dampness in the walls, the”Rooi Pomp” and well has to be put in use again in order to avoid a similar tragedy in future.
