Deeply ashamed of the state of the city

Dear Sir – I have been reading the news over the past few days of the recent visit of our president to Kimberley for the 108th birthday of the ANC

Monday morning on the radio, a political commentator said (before he spoke of any political issues) that he could not understand why such events are held in Kimberley as it was filthy, badly maintained and overall in decay.

To say the least, I was deeply ashamed as I love Kimberley and its people.

Yes, the President berated the mayor and the municipality for the lack of services and the appalling conditions. That is good! But! How much was for political gain?

I also have a follow-up question, not for the mayor, but for our premier, Dr Saul: R2billion is owed to the municipality by its citizens of which government departments owe the municipality R800 million. Payment of the outstanding R800 million will go a long way to bring about some change. Did the president rebuke any of the MECS for their government’s debt to the municipality? Definitely not in public! The historical cottages, for example, are owned by the Department of Public Works and all they have done with it is changed it into an eyesore! In fact, anything historical in this city seems to just be ignored.

Every citizen has a role to play: Politicians in Parliament and in council meetings should behave like civilised citizens and not see who can scream the loudest that the other one is stupid. Listen and work together.

Citizens should keep the area clean and neat in front of their home, office, shop, dept. Go and learn from the Japanese! Even when a person sleeps on the street, the next morning the area is clean. This I saw myself.

Council employees and department employees should do their work efficiently, effectively and perfectly. Believe me; if you worked in the private sector, you would be fired within the first month because you are costing money, not earning money. Sadly, it is the bad apples in the box (government & council) that give everybody a bad name.

Don’t throw your refuse in the street or in the open veld – garbage drums should be used.

Politicians love to criticise others to get public favour. The municipality isn’t blameless but remember: you are all in the service of the people in the Province/city/town.

DOROTHY-ANNE HOWITSON

E-mail: elohim@mweb.co.za