Readers’ Views

Government could take a leaf out of Discovery’s success handbook

The letter “Let my worries be your worries” (Readers’ Views, December 2) is bewildering for the following reasons.

Most people I know also cannot afford the “Rolls-Royce of options”, neither in a medical aid nor the transport version thereof.

Discovery, in particular, rewards its members for a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, there should be no reason for members to live unhealthy lives and expect an insurer (or members) to pay for it. Personally, I have been a member of Discovery for 20 years, and I have never encountered an unreasonable option.

I am gratified and emboldened that “my medical aid” has sufficient money to afford a multimillion-rand building instead of working from dreary rundown buildings, as some medical schemes do.

However, I detect a hint of envy in the words “it is a monument to enormous wealth. Huge profits are being made under the Discovery umbrella”. That, my dear, is precisely the point of a commercial enterprise.

I wish the government would take a leaf out of Discovery’s handbook so that we could in future avoid outages and have a sustainable water and sewerage system.

Nathan Cheiman, Johannesburg

Where’s my DStv magazine?

Why does it not surprise me that DStv is experiencing negative growth in the local market, “Netflix, economy weigh on DStv” (December 2)?

Not only are they apparently having to contend with the likes of Netflix and the economy, but within their own ranks they are being handicapped by the inefficiency of their “help desk”.

I have, since August 2017, when they arbitrarily removed my name from their monthly magazine mailing list, been attempting to have it reinstated. So far, without success.

And not from want of trying, either.

Almost on a monthly basis, I have been communicating with them by e-mail or telephonically, dealing with a different person on each occasion, and, in return, receiving a litany of promises, assurances and undertakings. But no magazine.

During this time, on two occasions, they actually couriered the magazine to me, a process that can’t be too costeffective for the company, particularly when I was told by the courier that he had “many” magazines to deliver that day.

Can it really be so complicated to restore a name to the list?

One cannot progress beyond the help desk as they refuse to divulge the names and contact details of their superiors, and even the supervisor of the department appears to be a protected species, as one cannot speak directly to him or her. And he or she is always going to return your call but never does.

Yes, I am aware there is a digital option available, but no, I do not want to go that route. And why should I be forced to do so? I far prefer the paper format which is and has always been available. Except to me, it appears!

I qualify in all respects to be a recipient of the magazine (age category, Premier customer), so what exactly does the future hold for DStv if they can fail at something as simple as restoring one’s name to a mailing list?

I’m not holding my breath.

Derick Clegg, by e-mail