African “Caves”
It is early, before sunrise and already the farm is a hive of activity. Helpers, neighbours and friends
have already arrived, some to help while others are there in a supportive role.
Months of research have been made to try and unlock one of Africa’s best kept secrets, the “Chambers of Molweni”.
Previous attempts were half hearted and unsuccessful due to being ill equipped and inexperience in cave exploration and
diving in underground water pockets. Experience gained from previous attempts contributed to improved techniques and mapping of the massive cave and part of the under water tunnel like entrance to the colossal pitch black water pocket.
What is being referred to as the tunnel is not straight and level but narrow openings in the under water rock formations sometimes just big enough for a body to manoeuvre through to the next opening leading to the bigger still unexplored water
Chamber or perhaps chambers.
Entering and manoeuvring around the cave is in itself a dangerous exercise. The entrance cave is hugh and dark and in some places deep. The cave surface is rugged with sharp rock formations forming dangerous deep narrow pit like gaps of uncertain depth.
The only way to move forward is to follow the narrow uneven slippery ledges with drops of unknown depths in front, while tagging along the diving equipment and the necessary provisions. One slip of the foot can be fatal.
At one place the ledge widens, from where the divers can lower themselves and their diving gear, by rope into the unknown darkness and icy cold water pocket.
Previous divers did get as far as the first chamber and discovered a long dark, narrow tunnel leading into a bigger water chamber, one nearly got stuck when the ropes, pipes and gear on his back got entangled in the rocks.
Outside the cave, the worry and tension was building up as Pierre and his team prepared to enter the cave. Each member of the team had his roll and has received thorough training the past few weeks to perform the job to the split second, nothing were to go wrong, spare lamps, bottles of oxygen, ropes had to be in place. Ropes had to be guided through as the diver proceeded through the chamber and the tunnels. Every jerk on the rope represented a signal from the diver under the water and had to be translated correctly. Too much loose ropes between the surface and the diver could get entangled in his legs, gear or the rocks where as too tight a rope could hamper his movements deep down.
As the minutes were ticking by, the activity and excitement of early morning started to give way to an atmosphere of anxiety and tension. It is a worried and concerned family and friends that’s waiting to pass a last word of advice to Pierre and the team, and to wish them good luck and success.
Although it is Pierre who will be doing the diving, every one in the team’s life will be in danger.
After a firm handshake and brotherly hug from each member on the platform, Pierre is carefully lowered down into the water. For a little while the light of his headlamp was still visible as he moved towards the tunnel and then it disappeared.
Anxious members followed his progress by the tightness of the rope and the jerks on the rope. The signals under water have been practised for months and must be correctly interpreted.
Everything was going according to plan, the relieved but concerned members have calculated from the marks on the rope that he should be through the major part of the tunnel. Nobody knew what to expect after the tunnel because no one has ever been further then the tunnel.
Then the signal everyone was waiting for, seven firm jerks on the rope to say that he was out of the tunnel and in the next water chamber. Seven firm jerks congratulated him and wished him well.
Jubilation was short lived when, after a while they realised that there were no more signals coming through. Several unanswered signals resulted in panic and fear.
After hours of waiting, worrying, hoping, tagging on the rope they realised that there was nothing they could do, none of them had the experience to follow Pierre.
All they could do was to break the news that, the Molweni Cave has maintained its long kept secret.
From Tokkie’s pen
4 June 2006
N.B.
To be followed up.