Amanzimtoti Cllr wishes all a merry and safe Christmas
We must never take for granted our unique way of life.
Ward 97 councillor, André Beetge wishes all Amanzimtoti residents and visitors to our beautiful town a peaceful and festive season. “First and foremost, to our visitors who have made our town their destination this year – you are welcome, so by all means eat, drink and be merry, but never be inconsiderate and when you leave, we wish you safe travel and ask that you leave only your footprints behind.
“Am I the only one who feels like the year ended before it even started? It truly feels like yesterday when South Africans were queuing to elect the sixth democratic parliament, new evidence of state capture amounting to billions remain our daily front page news (albeit with very few convictions), CEOs seem to change more often than a baby’s diaper (with the same result), the unemployment rate of 29,1 per cent is fast catching up with the 30 per cent high school pass rate and load-shedding, promised to be something of a dark past, has again become a reality as much needed-maintenance to conveyors, destined to deliver (wet) coal, has sadly never materialised.
“Despite replacement of the eThekwini mayor, water outages are on the increase as old and failing infrastructure remain unreplaced, power outages (often as a direct result of failures after load-shedding) have become the rule and not the exception, natural resources are more polluted as the poor become even poorer and informal settlements flourish along river banks, taxi drivers stop where and when they want to or drive with total disregard for others safety, car guards and the homeless can be seen at every crossing begging for alms to support a hungry stomach or some addiction, prostitutes showcase in the shade of broken street lights and dogs scavenge the content of uncollected recycling bags.
“On the up side, the much talked about washaway that succeeded in ‘dividing’ our town and attracted the (momentary) attention of a president, has been repaired and many volunteers continue to roll up their sleeves in an effort to make our town a home and destination of choice. Regular community and beach clean-ups remain the order of the day, as we strive to reduce litter into our rivers and ocean, our central sport facilities rank among the most pristine in the city, in turn, attracting national events and our children excel beyond expectation and outside the boundaries of our suburb within a big city.
READ ALSO: Top tips from eThekwini Municipality for a fun and safe summer
“The property market is booming and industrial development to supply much-needed job opportunities are fast becoming a reality.
“We must, however, never take for granted our unique way of life where bare feet in a shop is not easily frowned upon, where the beaches are our playground, fishing often takes preference over an anniversary, bleach hair does not come from a bottle but the sun and we know the butcher, baker, tailor and candle stick maker by first name. Quarrelsome and critical as some might be, we remain bonded by the sweet water that we drink, the clean air we breath and the bright sunshine we cherish.
“As we close the chapter on 2019, let us also spare a moment for those loved ones who are no longer with us, while observing the existence of Christ in Christmas – let us take hands and pray for His blessing in 2020.”
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