There to supervise, not cause a compromise
When a distribution query is logged, a special process is conducted which often includes a visual inspection of what you have available at your property to receive your weekly paper.
MEET Caxton Local Media distribution supervisors, Linda Mtshali and Lindo Mkhize, who are based at the Highway Mail office in New Germany.
Both supervisors started their career with the company about a year ago, and their jobs are to ensure that deliveries for the Northglen News, Highway Mail, Berea Mail and Queensburgh News run smoothly.
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Although they report to New Germany every morning, you won’t find them at their desks as the job requires the duo to be hands-on and actually be out in distribution areas on specific days.
“The distribution areas for each title are divided between the two of us. Readers don’t always meet us with warmth when they see us. We understand as the crime rate is high, but I assure you, we are only doing our jobs,” said Mtshali.
And by that they mean you could find them checking your postbox to see if you received a copy of your paper.
The complaints process works as follows. When a query of non-delivery comes in, it is logged on the system, and a query report is created. A specific process is followed once a query has been logged.
Mtshali and Mkhize will then investigate the query, and this may entail a visual check at the premises of the complainant.
“We will check if you have a paper tube or postbox. Some readers don’t have either so we can’t deliver a paper to them. We will never throw a copy of the paper into your yard or stick it in your security gate or fence. Some readers have a tube or postbox, but it is covered with shrubs. We need to investigate this,” he added.
“We follow the drivers along the route and check that distribution is running smoothly. We also help the paper distributors if the need calls for it. We are there to sort out any problems in real time and to also interact with community,” said Mtshali.
Mkhize said that other than readers thinking they are criminals, they are also met by uncontained animals – he was even bitten once.
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“We’re just doing our jobs by making sure that our readers receive their paper on delivery day. We ask pet owners to contain their animals and close their gates on distribution days. We just want people to know that we are distribution supervisors in the area,” he said.
Mkhize added that another reason why people were so sceptical about him and his colleague was because their uniforms sport a Caxton logo on them and not the names of the papers. Their cars also have Caxton branding on them.
“Caxton Publishers is the media house that owns the Highway Mail, Northglen News, Berea Mail and Queensburgh News. Also, we will never ask you for personal information – only information relating to the delivery of the papers,” he said.
So, the next time you see Mtshali and Mhize in your suburb, give them a smile and assist them with information to ensure that you always receive a copy of your favourite read every week without any hiccups.
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