It definitely is who you know

My wife recently accompanied my son to the Stanger vehicle testing grounds to renew his driver’s license.

As he is at university in Cape Town, they arranged with the licensing clerk that Mom would collect the license once issued. No problem, bring an authorisation to collect, signed by the driver, a copy of both IDs and the receipt.

Collection day duly arrived, for Mom to be told that the authorisation letter must be certified. Back to Ballito, to be certified at the post office.

Oh no.  Must be certified at a police station.

Back to Umhlali, duly certified by the police.

Oh no. This is an affidavit, and must be hand written.

After an hour with the clerk and the senior supervisor at the licensing office, during which time the dictionary meaning of “affidavit” was presented – stonewall.

Seething, Mom prepared for the fifth 60km round trip. She stopped to greet the driving instructor who trained my son.  Having been told the story, he smiled and asked for the receipt, promising to have the license on the morrow.

Next day he handed my wife the licence.

Service delivery – Eish!

JOHN WELLS

Ballito