IT was with a fair amount of trepidation that my wife and I set off for Pinetown Home Affairs on Thursday last week to apply for a passport for myself.
So many articles have been written of late describing crime in the area that we set off with only the bare essentials (no watches, cellphones or anything of value).
We arrived at 6am and were pleasantly surprised how the long winding row of people actively advised us (due to me being a senior) to go the front of the queue.
I was extremely grateful for this as I had recently had a knee replacement and was still on crutches. The security guard was more than polite and insisted that I come into the building regardless that they were not officially open.
It is very apparent how difficult it must be for the relatively small amount of staff and also very limited equipment to cope with the endless mass of people applying for documents.
Unfortunately, after a short wait the supervisor advised that the system had gone off-line and they were unable to process passports or ID cards. (This was a network fault nothing to do with this office).
After waiting many hours, we despondently gave up and went home. That afternoon I was advised though a friend that the network was up and running.
On Friday now armed with an entry paper we were determined to try again.
This time the supervisor, Maria Scott, was working on the fingerprint and photo section and helped me through the process.
Maria Scott works wonders at this office continually walking around motivating the staff, directing lost people to the correct lines handing out valuable information and advice.
Unfortunately, again the network failed but after several tense hours, the staff in consultation with IT managed to get it going and I was able to complete my application.
I would like to thank Maria Scott and all the staff at Pinetown Home Affairs for their tireless and dedicated work under what must be very difficult circumstances with a failing network.
Thanks once again and keep up the excellent work.
