Time for city fathers to spring into action
Shaun Gillham’s exposé of the appalling state of many of the metro’s key tourist targets, following the report in The Herald’s sister paper, the Weekend Post, regarding the Red Location Museum and its sixyear closure, should surely jog a few city fathers into action?
Why are people sleeping rough in the nooks and crannies of the Edward Hotel, which closed again in December? Why at Fort Frederick? And in so many other derelict buildings in this city?
The people’s problem is that they are unemployed, homeless and poor.
The root cause of the burgeoning crime figures can be laid, fair and square, at the door of the government. Marginal economic growth leading to joblessness, and of course corruption and state capture – no longer the invisible but rather the very prominent elephant in the room.
Where tourism and security are concerned, we should not hold our breath, unfortunately, as so many promises have been made by many parties, and come to nought.
We should seek to remedy the causes in the areas which Gillham clearly points out.
Crime is our main problem. Simple remedies such as efficient and committed policing bolstered by a committed metro police force for every site identified as needing protection. And not just for a few weeks – rather, into the future.
Commitment and work ethic come to mind in every sphere of our metro. The many officials who battle on to keep up standards are to be commended.
If these popular tourist attractions
are not secured and protected from criminals and vagrants, they will cease to exist very soon, as they crumble and rot into oblivion.
A few licks of paint and a picture of some official standing proudly next to a site won’t convince anyone. Start by fixing the lift at the Campanile. And move on from there, paid officials!
Bernice Wright, Port Elizabeth