Change conditions, not names, to attract tourists
Iread with interest BCM mayor Xola Pakati s submission ’ Healthy debate on “place names is key to shared sense of ownership ”( DD, Sep 25).
I will not dwell on the subject of name changes, suffice to say that I am opposed. It is insights I want to focus on.
Our city has many attractions, but we also face many challenges.
International tourists land in Johannesburg or Cape Town. They visit attractions in and around these cities.
They will often fly between the centres, but the distance between East London and Cape Town or Johannesburg is greater than the length of Germany and nearly twice the length of France.
Even though BCM can match and exceed the attractions of the big centres, we are overlooked. This needs to be addressed.
As noted by the mayor, East London came into existence as a supply port for British soldiers along the colonial frontier. The history of our city and the region is one of conflict.
This can, and should, be channelled to our advantage. Tourists are interested in the wars in which their ancestors served and the areas where they settled. This leads to an interest in the history, customs and traditions of the Xhosa people.
Stakeholders in the tourism sector always point out that our city is dirty. The lack of civic pride has nothing to do with Eurocentric names.
Second, our city is not safe. Crime is out of control. While law and order is the competence of national police, the municipal police have a duty to enforce the by-laws and to protect the city s’ infrastructure and facilities.
Third, the infrastructure is crumbling. We have substandard roads and pavements. The water, sanitation and power systems are ageing and need upgrading.
— Dave Rankin, via e-mail
Comprehensive strategies needed
Following the global outbreak of Covid-19, nations including SA have responded by imposing lockdowns to curb the surge of infections.
Pandemics affect national economies through several channels, including the health, transportation, agricultural and tourism sectors, while trade is affected through interruptions in international supply chains.
Pandemics hinder economic growth which in turn affects government revenue and expenditure.
At household level, death or illness of a family breadwinner results in direct losses of income leading to a reduction in savings as time and resources are spent on treatment, extra hygiene measures and nutrition to boost immune systems.
Reductions in savings lead to disinvestment in human capital, notably the education of children, and to loss of productive assets, including land or housing.
One lesson from the pandemic is that attempts made by the private sector in disease prevention and control may not be sufficient.
This provides justification for governments to intervene in health programmes to achieve optimal levels for disease control, and optimum mix of prevention and control.
Covid-19 has also highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies and strong political will for governments to be proactive in efforts to curb the rate of infections and put in place practical, sustainable programmes to prevent, manage, and control diseases.
Concerted pro-action is paramount for all nations to guard against pandemics, and to mitigate their impact.
— Ntombimbini Mdlulwa, via e-mail