I HAD to go to the Licensing Department in Mariannhill to renew my driver’s licence on Tuesday, 11 April.
I arrived there at 6.45am only to find a queue stretching right down to the pavement – this is usual I understand.
However, this is something that has to be endured so I waited. I want to send my heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people whom I shared this queue with.
I am 83 years old and found standing for so long very tiring.
My grateful thanks to the woman who managed to make room for me on the benches although out of my spot in the queue as she was concerned for me.
Also to the kind gentleman and his wife who helped me climb up the wall and the bank to reach the top level.
Then to the kind woman who went to the trouble of asking the guard to let me go in ahead of everyone to sit in the renewals hall as I had been standing and sitting for over four and a half hours.
She then had to go back to her place in the queue – that was kindness personified.
Finally my everlasting thanks go to the woman – a Mrs Moodley – who kept my place in the row as I had to race back home for proof of residence.
I could not have faced an ordeal like this again as I was finally processed by 1.30pm.
Thank you to all those caring people who put themselves out to help me – you will be richly blessed.
I would however like to question – is it really necessary in this age of technology to have people standing in all weathers in queues for things like drivers’ licences, passports, ID books, pension payments?
Can things not be better organised to obviate this time-wasting experience for so many thousands.
No wonder some people prefer to drive unlicensed.
Ann Preen
Bethany Gardens Retirement Village, Pinetown
