It was a year of horror. It was a year to forget. It was the year many are glad to see the back of.
Many residents now describe Dundee as probably one of the dirtiest towns in Northern KZN. The drains are choked with litter and this in turn causes flooding after a heavy downpour.
This was shown in stark reality when the heavens opened in February leading to many homes and businesses being flooded and the loss of life when a car was washed away on the Nyanyadu road.
The weather proved to be even more fickle as the year unfolded with bitter cold in winter, good early rains, an oppressive heatwave, snow on October 31 and then more heat.
The hard news story of the year was undoubtedly the ongoing war copper thieves are waging on the town. Homes, businesses and religious institutions have been targeted as the appetite for copper appears to be unsated.
There have been a few arrests related to copper theft but this has not in any way turned the tide.
Cabling is openly burnt in the CBD by so-called ‘paras’ in an attempt to access the copper wire in the cables. There is no fear, or so it seems, of anyone being arrested.
A few good souls have tried to keep the town’s flag flying by hosting a plethora of craft markets and other tourism-related events. Yet, the town’s infrastructure seems to continue to disintegrate with potholes now taking over from tar.
There is always much talk of local pride but a lot more action rather than words will have to be put in place if Dundee is to ever make it on the top 10 list of the most underrated and must-see towns in the country.
Getaway Travel has Underberg as the only KZN representative, with towns like Victoria West, Kleinmond, and even Parys also featuring. Dundee always billed itself as a tourist town but a mountain of work would need to be done to get remotely close to these towns that are obviously doing something right.
So we have compiled a Christmas wish list for Father Christmas that Dundee would like to find in its stocking come December 25.
* Clean gutters. (Not too expensive to complete if you have refuse bags and pride)
* Drivable roads especially in the industrial area (doable if the powers-that-be cut down on unnecessary expenses and root out electricity theft)
* Implementation of by-laws (Residents say they feel vulnerable as the much-vaunted by-laws that are there to control the infamous park parties, drinking in public, etc. are simply not enforced. Even the municipality hosted their end-of-year ‘do’ in Coronation Park so what chance do we mere mortals have?)
*A complete eradication of any copper-related dealings.
- How about finally putting those CCTV cameras up so we can actually monitor these mysterious crooks?
- Ban double parking – this would really help traffic flow on Victoria Street, near Willson Street intersections, where cars stop and the passengers and driver nonchalantly alight to go into Chicken Licken to order an ice cream.
- Act normal.
Perhaps we should order Ferraris instead. Make it easier for Father Christmas.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
