October 21
Electrical boxes waiting for little fingers
It has been quite concerning that the municipality ignores electrical safety in our area.
After numerous complaints nothing has been done.
The electrical boxes all along Eland Road are either partly broken or don’t have padlocks on.
Kids are regularly playing in the streets and can easily let their curiosity get the best of them to open the boxes and start tampering.
On whose hands will it be if such a disaster should happen?
Asking one more time.
ANITA ROBINS
Ballito
*****
An ideal Christmas gift
I had the rare privilege on September 15 to attend the launch of the late Kader Asmal’s biography “Politics In my blood” marketed by his widow, Louise Asmal.
Within six hours I had read this fabulous and compelling publication. The experience was truly breathtaking and gave me valuable insights into this enigma, Prof Kader Asmal.
Those familiar with the liberation struggle who would like a first-hand account of how gutsy and committed a freedom fighter he was, and how he stood against all odds in his lifelong dedication to freedom, equality and justice, this book is for you.
The Professor also played a pivotal role in SA’s transition from apartheid to democracy. The tragic irony is that his lifelong loyalty to the ANC was tossed aside when the veterans and former ANCYL President, Fikile Mbalula told him to’ jump in a grave’, following his strong opposition to the Information Secrecy Bill.
I couldn’t prevent a few tears from falling as I read of Kader’s personal journey, his early life and the hardships he endured as a youth.
The most moving lines for me were when Kader and his dad went to some rich people for a study loan and were kept waiting for many hours: ‘When you go as a beggar, nobody asks you to sit down and make yourself comfortable. You are made to stand and wait.
It was there that I learnt about the insolence of wealth and power, and vowed never to do that to anyone!
The book makes a perfect Christmas gift, or a high school dux award.
ISMAIL ASMAL
Stanger
*****
Confusing sign posts on Salt Rock road
I would appreciate using your widely read tabloid to raise some response from an appropriate authority regarding the conflicting signages on the Salt Rock/Umhlali main road. Heading west it’s 100km/hour, east 80Km/hour and a sedate and safer 60Km/hour approaching the two villages on a route that has become a race track.
At risk are school kids, cyclists, joggers, general pedestrians, especially now with increased traffic movement at the new Spar and at entrances to both Dunkirk Estate and Mount Richmore.
Having the entire route declared a 60km/hour speed limit will only add seconds onto vehicular journeys rather than waiting for a very serious accident to happen.
PAUL DUTTON
Salt Rock
*****
Shopping cart acrobatics
I have just finished reading a letter from Debbie Nicholson (“People just walked past as I lay there,” Courier, October 14) and my immediate reaction was “snap”. Her accident was identical to an accident I had at the same place two days earlier.
I too was pushing my trolley, with groceries, towards the parking area and as I moved down the small slope from the paved area to the parking area, the front wheels of the trolley just stopped.
Before I realised what was happening, the trolley had lifted at the back and somersaulted through 180 degrees. With my momentum, I was caught by the trolley and I was lifted over the trolley and crashed headfirst onto the tarmac.
I managed to struggle to my feet, seeing a few stars and two young African boys came over and picked the trolley up and gathered the groceries together for me.
I was hanging on to the trolley, not sure what had happened, when fortunately some other people came over (my sincere thanks to them). They took one look at me with my head bleeding and rushed into the Spar to get assistance.
A lovely lady, Marilyn, from Spar came out, saw my condition and said there was no way I was going to drive my car, then everyone helped me into the Spar.
My groceries were sorted out into a new trolley and I was given tea, heavily laced with sugar, together with some toast and marmite. Also an ice pack for my head, which had a huge graze and lump developing. Fortunately the ice did its job and a few days later the lump diminished but I was left with a cracked rib where the trolley had caught me.
Apparently I was grey and shaking like a leaf and they were quite concerned. They very kindly offered to drive me home but after 30 minutes of convalescing, I felt capable of driving home safely.
I would like to thank Marilyn and everyone else who assisted me. I would also like to request that the Lifestyle management view the place where both of these incidents have now taken place.
I have had a good look at the area, since then and there is nothing too obvious to be seen. The tarmac however is very rough in a few places where it meets the paved area and perhaps there are a few small areas, which are significant enough to snag the trolleys.
My concern is that someone could easily hurt themselves very seriously if nothing is done.
BARRY WOOD
Umhlali
Lifestyle Centre management responds as follows:
We acknowledge and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by both these incidents and will be looking into the design and alignment of this ramp as a matter of urgency.
*****
Children will benefit from toys
Ikhulubone Trust wishes to extend its most heart-felt appreciation and gratitude to Siza Water (Sembcorp) for putting young children first.
On October 13, Khosi Mathenjwa of the public relations office handed over educational toys to enable Ikhulubone Trust to establish a mobile toy library. Trainers, teachers and children were excited to receive the most valuable toys.
The library is an educational service to the community, especially the children who are not admitted to any pre-school.
PETROS MYEZA (Project Director)
Ikhulubone Trust
*****
Praise for dedication
I would like to praise and applaud all the doctors and staff in the ICU unit at Alberlito Hospital, for the dedicated work each and everyone of you do in caring and attending to the sick.
In September my husband was in ICU for 18 days. To all of you who touched on his life: Alistar, Brenda, Zamo, Tammy, Charlotte, Anthea, to name but a few. There were many more whose names I cannot recall, but you know who you are. In whatever capacity you were, I thank you for your words of encouragement and friendly smiles every day. They meant so much to me when I was feeling so down and stressed. Thank you and God bless you all.
MRS STOLTZ
Ballito
*****
Who are the North Coast writers?
KZN Literary Tourism (www.literarytourism.co.za) has received a National Arts Council grant for 2012 to develop a North Coast Writers trail. We will be looking at the area from Umhlanga Rocks to the Tugela River. Any suggestions of writers (or places associated with writers) that we could include on the trail would be appreciated. Contact Lindy Stiebel on stiebel@ukzn.ac.za
NIALL MCNULTY
Durban
*****
What would ANC forefathers say?
One of the heroes we celebrate is Oliver Tambo. I ask myself, what would this father of the nation be saying to other ancestors about why the principal liberation movement is now a master of corruption?
Let us assume that every three months Tambo, Chief Albert Luthuli, ZK Matthews, Chris Hani, Matthew Goniwe, Walter Sisulu, Joe Slovo, Harry Gwala, Yusuf Dadoo, Lillian Ngoyi, Beyers Naude and others meet in heaven to assess progress made in South Africa.
On their way to the meeting they bump into Andries Tatane, Sbu Sibiya and Bomber Ntshangase – three men who stood up for the rights of the common people and who have recently died violently.
While still chatting with these three comrades comes Regina Nzo, Dumisani Makhaye, Kader Asmal, Mama Albertina Sisulu and Henry Fazzie, who tell our liberation ancestors that greed is tearing the organization apart and corruption is now normalized, with leaders blaming every corrupt case on “political conspiracy”.
I am sure Tambo will ask Rev James Calata and Beyers Naude to pray for the demise of the corrupt forces in the ANC. Just imagine how many leaders of the ANC could perish, starting with those involved in the travelgate and arms procurement scandals. Will Bheki Cele, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Sicelo Shiceka survive? Only God knows.
I am sure Schabir Shaik and handlers of assassins can run for cover or join other political parties as covers. Such a decision can thrill Thabo Mbeki, Archbishop Tutu, Bulelani Ngcuka, Vusi Pikoli, Thuli Madonsela, Terror Likota, Willie Hofmeyr and Mzilikazi Wa Afrika.
We must continue honouring Tambo with songs and slogans denouncing corruption. In his name we must continue to defend the judiciary and the right of the media to expose corruption because these are things Tambo was fighting for.
It is high time that genuine disciples of Tambo stop talking about corruption and act against it. Why does Zuma chase Malema the lizard and leave out the crocodiles? It is a great pity that corrupt leaders falsely claim that they walk in Tambo’s footprints. No one in the ANC of Zuma is like Tambo, Luthuli or Sisulu.
SIYANDA MHLONGO
KwaDukuza
*****
Is there quality control on contracts?
I arrived home after work and found a speed bump across the road in front of my house. My story is service delivery or the lack thereof.
The speed bumps were installed on the July 13 by a contractor. I am sure it was a contractor because the labour force weren’t wearing uniforms, the vehicles didn’t have municipal logos on them and they worked long into the cold night.
Anyway they dumped a pile of asphalt in the park, which was not completely used up and they cut a slot in the road to key the hump into and left the rubble on the verge, on both sides of the road.
A couple of days later as I was about to submit this article, the contractor arrived back and changed the speed bump in shape and size and increased the pile in the park. The modified hump was badly built, very uneven and crumbling on the ends, and is now not really effective as the increased size and shape helps to serve as a ramp rather than an obstacle, which should be causing traffic to slow down.
My complaint is that it is now October 10 and the rubble cut from the road is still piled up on the verges on the sides of the road and there is a left over pile of asphalt lying in the park.
What this tells me is that the municipality, our service provider, does not go out and do quality inspections on completed jobs.
So my concern is how many jobs are paid off and are badly done or not cleaned up like the one in front of my house, or not done at all, if nobody is going to check when the contractor says he has completed the job and wants payment for his work done?
Where I work, before payment is made, the job is carefully checked to make sure that it is carried out according to strict specifications, and that the work area is left clean and tidy.
This is the way that business is carried out in the private sector, or else we would soon be pushed out by the competition, but I suppose our local government doesn’t have to worry, they don’t have any competition.
I pay my rates and I expect to get a service for it.
RAYMOND GIELINK
KwaDukuza
*****
Yes, they want it all
With reference to the letter “Pettiness is not necessary,” (Courier, October 14): Yes Peter, their aim is to monopolize Ballito.
There are many of us still trying to get our permits due to their objections, and have been through the same ordeal – the calls, the inquiries, all bogus calls, just to get your registration or details.
To them out there, hear this I say: “The King said the world is for all to profit from; even the King himself profits from the field.”
We wish you all the best Peter. From one of the non-opposition.
ERROL KLEINGELD
Ballito
*****
Fail to practice what they preach
As a native South African I hang my head in shame over the recent Dalai Lama visa saga. Why? Simply because the bosses of the NSA pay lip service to freedom, democracy and human rights, but fail most miserably and disgracefully when it comes to practicing what they preach.
Our government leaders stress that SA is a “sovereign, independent” state.
But what is the value of this so-called “sovereign independence” when SA panders to the whims of atheistic, marxist, ruthless China which has undoubtedly the worst human rights record on earth?
Communist China committed international brigandage when it wantonly invaded and occupied peaceful Tibet over six decades ago, and is committing genocide against Tibetans.
Now, pro-communist SA is denying the Peace Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama a visa, a man of impeccable credentials, out of deference for the dictatorship of China. Disgraceful! Evasive dithering is the NSA art of diplomacy.
IRM PERUMAL
Pietermaritzburg
*****
Thank you for support
On behalf of Ballito Feral Cat Carers; we would like to thank Seelan from Lifestyle Spar for the kind donation of ‘damaged stock’ (dried food and tins), over and above the monthly donation we receive from them.
It was such a wonderful surprise to receive these ‘extras’ – and the timing was so fitting as it was World Animal Week from 4 – 10 October.
We would also like to take this opportunity in publicly thanking each and every one of you who have made some contribution or donation towards our cause.
And Jeremy Lamb and the staff at Aloe Vet; what would we do without you? Our amazing statistics this past month says it all – 42 feral cats sterilized and 57 kittens prevented from being born. Thank you for all your support Jeremy and sorry to have kept you soooooo busy.
SHARON COSSEY
Chairlady, Ballito Feral Cat Carers
*****
Losing it all at Parkesville
We have been having a merry old time at Parkesville lately.
This time Ron left our car/house keys in the loo at The Junction. He dashed back about ten minutes later but some unmentionable person had taken them. What a hoo-ha! The spares had been lost three years ago and he was thoroughly stuck.
Quentin Power of Build It came immediately to his rescue. He opened the steering lock and organised a tow truck.
He gave us invaluable advice, phoning me a couple of times because Ron is deaf. Apart from being so very helpful on the technical side, he was a pillar of strength and comfort to my stressed man. He gave up his whole Saturday to help us and charged not a cent!
What a decent young man he is!
Jean-Anne Austin helped enormously, checking at all the shops in case the keys had been handed in, and also being encouraging. She, too, gave up her whole day.
Our dear friend, George Bertram, allowed us to keep the car on his property through the week-end and even lent us his vehicle for most of the week. What a star!
Our locals are tops and we thank them.
MARIE AND RON PARKES
Maidstone
*****
