Agreeably, this is a good idea, communication with the ratepayers is always welcome, which brings up challenge number one, informing the residents of this meeting.
There was very little signage about this meeting in the traditional wards of 37, 38 and 94, while buses had been arranged and thus communicated to the non-traditional wards, Thokoza and Palm Ridge and Eden Park. The meeting was also set for 17:00, a time that is most inconvenient for the employed members of our society.
Moving on, let’s look at the challenges to the Metro. Constant sewer blockages, constant power outages, damage done to EMM pavements by contractors, dilapidated buildings and resident’s building without plans.
This is where the service roundabout comes in. Remember playing on the roundabout in the park and you used to spin it so fast that it felt like you where going to fall off? And when you did get off you were all dizzy, disorientated and a little sick.
That’s what this Imbizo is like; it’s all about spinning a situation while the community gets all disorientated and finally you end up with that sick feeling in your stomach.
Admitting to the challenges, while very important, doesn’t count for a hill of beans if there is no plan in place that is going into action towards rectifying it. Because if I hear one more time that there is a master plan in place to deal with issues, I think I will be sick for real. The magical master plan, the panacea and cure-all for the city’s problems.
Here’s a thought: how about a master action, that’s it – just action. Doing, putting into motion, bringing about some level of physical activity towards the conclusion of the problems being faced.
I want to end off on a sombre note, to the families of the workers who passed at the collapse of the house in Meyersdal, may you be in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. To the survivors, may the road to recovery be swift and painless.
I was at the scene and it is something that I will not soon forget, neither should I, because when we forget, we are doomed to repeat history. May you all be in peace, this week, this month and this year.
