‘Let’s get the former glory of the Gem of the Karoo back’
• Shirley Spencer of Graaff-reinet writes:
In support of Billy Lloyd’s letter “I was shocked to see Graaff-reinet this December” in the Advertiser dated 10 January, I would like to add my penny’s worth.
I recently took up residence in Graaffreinet, and happened to have business in Church Street on Friday, 15 December. I was deeply shocked at the state of this beautiful little town.
I had only been in Graaff-reinet for six weeks, but already felt like I ‘own’ this Karoo Gem, and was deeply ashamed at the filth strewn around.
We all know exactly where this came from, and the behaviour of the drivers of the taxis and their passengers with complete disregard for courtesy, the law of the road or cleanliness was disgusting.
That having been said, unfortunately, this and Billy’s letter will not get to the source of the problem.
I would like to suggest that with the obvious increase in traffic in December and which will probably happen again at Easter, the following be put into effect.
With the co-operation of the police, a mandatory roadblock be set up outside Graaff Reinet, stopping every taxi coming into town.
The Municipality hand out black bag/s to each and every taxi driver, with the request that all the litter in the vehicle be deposited by the passengers in the black bag. It would be easier to cope with black bags full of litter for both him, the passengers and the citizens of this town.
Skips be strategically placed around town in parking bays for dumping the black bags. The driver who in turn can tell his passengers, be advised where these skips are placed.
The driver could also be warned that ‘spotters’ are operating to note any offenders just throwing the litter out of the vehicles, and fines would apply.
The spotters could be the normal municipal staff on duty for clearing litter, but I am sure every citizen of Graaff-reinet would voluntarily ‘spot’.
My third suggestion, which is probably a pipe dream, would be that with the cooperation of fast food businesses in town, a meal coupon be given to the driver/passenger for each full black bag deposited in a skip. This would entail trustworthy guards at each skip to avoid the same black bag being deposited numerous times, and deposits would not be confined to taxi drivers, but members of the public who collect and fill and deposit a black bag.
I am sure that the City Fathers/mothers and municipal employees can work out the logistics to the best advantage.
Let’s get the former glory of the Gem of the Karoo back again.