Preserve cultural buildings
I am ever conscious that beyond a heart of bitterness, racial hatred, corruption and murder there beats another heart in our metropole.
It is a heart of mutual compassion and realisation where ordinary folk rise beyond all the misery, united in the commonality of our existence, where our shared humanity is all that really matters.
I would like to think this is the real heart of the Nelson Mandela metropole.
I have had the privilege of being a member of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra for many years.
Our orchestra has no gender, racial, religious or age barriers, and is a microcosm of the community we live in.
We play for the enjoyment of all, bringing to Port Elizabeth artists from all over the world to perform with us.
And so, at the weekend the programme included the wonderful the Bruckner University Big Band from Austria, pianist Rocco de Villiers, marimba player Magdalena de Vries and our very own Asemahle Tsholoba who is on the threshold of a wonderful career.
Once again, our wonderful organ, played by Justin Stone and accompanied by the orchestra, was showcased.
The celebrated, much loved Port Elizabeth-born Richard Cock conducted the orchestra.
He mentioned what a treasure the Feather Market Centre was for our city.
It houses one of a few big hall organs in the country that is well maintained and functional, thanks to the untiring efforts of Professor Albert Troskie and his dedicated supporters.
The organ and Feather Market Centre, with its exceptional acoustics, are priceless treasures for every one of our community and need to be maintained.
The hall was revamped many years ago, but it needs attention now. The air conditioning is not working, the outside façade needs redoing and the water leaks are becoming a major problem.
Surely money spent now will save millions in future should the centre become derelict.
Our council vociferously wants to showcase the Nelson Mandela metropole to the world at large and quite rightly so.
We need, as a society, to unite in promoting our city by ensuring that community centres like the Feather Market Centre, Bayworld, museums etc are well looked after and promoted.
As the ANC regime says, “Together we move Port Elizabeth (SA) forward”! Indeed.
Talbot Cox Schoenmakerskop, Port Elizabeth