your chirps

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NAME CHANGE IRE

Seriously — Gqebera? I have never heard of anything more myopically stupid in the whole name-changing frenzy. Staring you in the face is the politically correct and internationally attractive name of Madiba Bay. What more do we need? Why must we have foisted upon us such a difficult (for some) and obscure name (for all)? It sounds like a remote village, maybe in Outer Mongolia, not something related to a coastal wannabe tourist city in SA. I am certain that if you took the trouble to assess true opinions among all residents you would find overwhelming support for Madiba Bay. Anyway, the character of this city has been ruined by politicians already, so you may as well just finish the job.

Emmo

To change a city’s name costs a lot of money and ultimately it is us, the ratepayers, who have to pay for it. I suggest a referendum on it by the ratepayers. Otherwise, let the people who want this name change pay for it! Enough is enough

— time for a rates boycott.

Ichmy

What has transformation got to do with name changes? This city was named after Sir Rufane Donkin’s beloved wife, Elizabeth, in the year dot. Is no cognisance being taken of that transformation which led to the beautiful city of today?

Frank

The ECPGNC [Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee] obviously does not do proper research. If they did, they would know that Absa — Amalgamated Banks of South Africa — was formed out of — if my memory has not faded — Trust Bank, Allied Building Society and UBS. So much for applying their minds.

Peter, Makhanda

Is the ANC government suicidal, insane or downright stupid? Crime in this city is escalating daily and tourists are easy targets, and it’s affecting the tourism industry in a negative way. Now you want the tourist to come to a city with an unpronounceable name? Kiss the tourism industry goodbye -and external investment too. Yes it’s “transformation” for a few cadres. We are going from dysfunctional to death — and don’t forget at taxpayers’ expense too.

TS

I also agree with those who are of the opinion that changing PE’s name to Gqebera would be wasted expenditure. It won’t [improve] the economy, poverty and unemployment, which are all challenges. I see the idea as a lack of visionary leadership, because there are still disadvantaged areas with informal settlements, the bucket system, gravel roads or potholed tar roads. Even in my area there’s no recreational area for children to play. I believe it’s service delivery that matters and government must have people’s best interests at heart. These people voted for them but they only take them seriously when the community strikes.

V Monelo

The Eastern Cape names committee says it only received 139 objections to the Port Elizabeth name change. There is a very simple reason for this. Nobody new that you were calling for objections! Do the thing correctly, and tell us when and where we can sign, and you will have a genuine result. Come on, residents of PE, stand up for yourselves and don’t let these people take away your heritage. Not to mention the cost!

WS What the frack! Just leave Port Elizabeth as Port Elizabeth. There are much more important things to worry about than name changing. Our tourist are getting robbed, our municipality is dysfunctional, we don’t have a working traffic department and to top it all try calling 10111. You will have buried your dead family member already and they still don’t answer the phone. Suck on that, you useless so-called councillors.

Gary

POOR PLANNING AROUND WEATHER

What a debacle. How on earth can the ICC run a World Cup Cricket Championship and not have a reserve day for the semifinals in case the matches are “rained out”? SA and England got the short straw. We (SA) had to play a rain-shortened, impossible game against Oz, and England did not even play one shot as India had a higher total in the round robin games. To lose fairly is disappointing, but acceptable. We were robbed!

Aries

ATTACK ON SWISS TOURISTS

I am disgusted that NMBM economic development, tourism and agriculture executive director Anele Qaba can be so dismissive regarding the vicious attack by thugs on tourists at the Donkin Reserve. For him to say “crime is a global crisis and people need to be more vigilant” is morally reprehensible, and dismisses the huge and growing problem of crime in PE. PE is one of the few places in the world where tourists are at serious risk. What hope do we have for PE remaining a tourism destination if the city’s head of tourism thinks like that?

Free marketeer

ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS A DANGER

While the council is dilly-dallying with their corrupt politicking, a dangerous situation is brewing with illegal pirate electricians putting our lives in danger. These people are making money by connecting informal settlement residents for a fee. The blasts we endure during and after these operations are terrible. Is the municipality waiting for people to die from this hazardous situation?

Ngwevana Street resident

REFUGEES PUZZLE

Why is the ANC allowing thousands of refugees into the country.? There are no jobs, no housing. How are these people housed and fed?

Walter

HUMAN RIGHTS

Like it or not, human rights is our worst enemy. It is now haunting us, and SA will never be the same again,

Mickey Dlova

SOMETHING FISHY

On the fish farm issue, a lifestyle audit needs to be done. Despite numerous antifish farm efforts, the go-ahead has been granted off our southern beaches.

G Coleske