EDITOR – The article in last week’s Berea Mail refers.
With regards the very poorly conducted debate on the after-hours noise as well as the filth and destruction of our municipal parks, it is always good to bench mark yourself against other cities in the world.
Hyde Park in London: Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen held a concert at the venue. They obtained the necessary permit from the London Council which stipulated that the concert was to stop at 10.30pm. They were having such a good time that the concert went passed the time. There was however, a municipal official present who pointed out to them that they were in breach of their permit conditions and they had to stop immediately. They were horrified to be treated in this way but that is how the London Council operates – Hyde Park is also surrounded by residential premises.
In Durban we have to put up with uncontrolled noise which carries on through the night. Complaining to the Metro Police is a waste of time as they will not do anything about it. When it reached council level, which is the ultimate decision making body, the result is that the complaints are racist and nothing is to be done about it.
So there you have it – how London which can be said to be a 1st world, civilised city handled the situation – and Durban a 3rd world uncivilised shambles lurching from one crisis to another and doing their best to ensure all debate on poor services are regarded as racist. I don’t know who said Durban is one of the must-see cities in the world but they are deluding themselves.
Also, having seen the before and after of the Jameson Park filth and destruction, which has municipal blessing, I don’t think our city fathers have any idea how to operate a major municipality with all the responsibilities that go with it.
RW
Berea
