POLOKWANE – People often make assumptions without having all the facts, and in the case of understanding the rules and regulations when it comes to parking at Mall of the North, assumptions could be made to the detriment of toddlers, the elderly and the disabled.

This issue came after discussions over a recent comment placed on Facebook in this regard.

To clear up any misconceptions, Review decided to assist by informing readers about the rights of parents, pensioners and people with disabilities who use the Mall of the North’s parking areas.

“Mall of the North has parking that is specifically reserved for parents with a baby or toddler in a stroller,” René van der Merwe, marketing manager of Mall of the North, said.

“Parking for parents with a baby or toddler in a stroller, is wider than a normal parking bay, to make it easier for the parents to manoeuvre with the baby and the stroller, without damaging the car next to them.”

These parking bays are strictly to be used when the baby or toddler is going to be put into a stroller. If you are going to carry the baby or toddler or make use of a shop trolley, you may not use these bays, she further explained.

‘These parking bays are strictly to be used when the baby or toddler is going to be put into a stroller’

Sumari de Ridder, general manager of Mall of the North, said they wanted pensioners who were still fit and able to walk to make use of the normal parking.

“You get pensioners of 75 years who walk better and for longer distances than younger people. We have been allowing pensioners to park on the disabled parking, but due to public pressure and very limited disabled parking bays, we have to ask you to please park in the normal parking bays.”

Mall of the North also has parking bays that are specifically reserved for disabled people. People who need to use a wheelchair, walker or two crutches, qualify to use these parking bays.

“Parking for disabled people are wider than a normal parking bay, to make it easier for the person to manoeuvre with the walking aid. These parking bays are also allocated closer to the mall entrances, to ensure that the disabled person’s trip to the mall is as easy as possible,” Van der Merwe said.

If you qualify for such a parking disc, visit the Association for Persons with Disability (APD) to get a disc that you can use nationally. The APD can be contacted at (015) 291 1787/8 or awareness@apdlimpopo.co.za.”We, as a community, can stand together to make the persons with a disability’s lives as well as pensioners and parent with a baby or toddler in a stroller, easier, by being courteous. We sincerely thank you for your support and understanding,” Van der Merwe concluded.

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