Residents reject bingo bar
The principal of Queensburgh Girls High School, Mrs Motheraam, highlighted that licensing Goldrush may potentially go against the life-long values they work hard to instill in their pupils.
THREE heads of institutions in Malvern have slammed the possibility of a new gambling and liquor outlet operating in the area, stating it will do more harm than good.
“There are numerous liquor outlets – to my knowledge, six pubs and two bottle stores – that more than meet the needs of the local community. This new application would not meet a need but rather create a need,” said the senior pastor at the House of Prayer, Gary Deetlefs.
Goldrush, the outlet seeking licensing, is situated on Purity Lane, a place the pastor argues is directly opposite the church, Queensburgh Girls’ High School and is in close proximity to Malvern Primary School, citing the legislature passed by the KZN Liquor Licensing Act of 2010. The act bans the sale of liquor by outlets within a 500m radius of religious and learning institutions.
“Goldrush on Purity Lane was a poor choice of site, and in terms of the socio-economic implications, they should have looked for more suitable premises. This is another example of a wealthy, big business from outside the community imposing its will on the local people. What it contributes to the local community is negligible to what it will take out of the local community, not to mention the negative socio-economic impact we as a community will have to live with on a daily basis,” Pastor Deetlefs added.
In addition to writing a letter to the KZN Liquor Authority Board expressing his disapproval, the pastor also gathered and submitted more than 100 signatures in a petition opposing licensing.
The principal of Queensburgh Girls’ High School, Mrs S Motheraam, and Rev Nkosi Khanyile of the Congregational Church of Queensburgh, also expressed their opposing views to the liquor board. Mrs Motheraam highlighted that licensing Goldrush may potentially go against the life-long values they work hard to instill in their learners.
“As a school, we promote the moral and ethical values that encourage responsible personal behaviour and citizenship, and feel the addition of further liquor outlets challenges our mission.
“We run a Smart Club at the school that works to discourage alcohol and drug abuse. The granting of a liquor license will be counter-productive to our efforts,” she explained.
The Congregational Church of Queensburgh raised concerns about the disturbance the business will cause. “We, as a church, reiterate that urban residential gambling and liquor operations are detrimental to the wellbeing of the communities, and operation of such a business in our area will disturb the proceedings in our place of worship and schools,” wrote Rev Khanyile.
