Letters – 18 April 2014

They handled a crisis so well!

‘I have a sweet story about four little heroes that I think you may want to hear about.
We were out at a rustic country restaurant on a Sunday evening recently, celebrating a friend’s birthday. It is on one of the older properties in our area and probably was one of the original farm houses that have been converted into what is now a very well established restaurant.
Being such an old establishment, there is still a rain reservoir situated on the property. It stands about one metre high above the ground, not too sure how far below the ground and is approximately two metres in diameter and made out of solid concrete. My child and many other children play on top of this reservoir and pretend they are on a stage singing and dancing.
The children were doing their normal concert when the cement cover on top of the reservoir cracked and gave way and Ruby Hattingh, aged 8 fell in. Mikayla Reynolds and Zoe Palmer, both aged 9, stayed with her, keeping her calm, talking to her and holding onto her hands to keep her head above water.
They sent the very smart little 6-year-old Mathew Palmer to call me and the rest of the adults. Ruby kept her head and didn’t panic. Once she couldn’t hold on any more and she slipped right under the water, she kept swimming up towards the light so that we could find her and pull her out. We pulled out a vary shaken, scraped and bruised little girl, but thank goodness that was the worst of the injuries.
I was so impressed with these three little heroes who saved their friend’s life. They kept cool, held onto their friend as long as they could, kept Ruby calm and sent Mathew to go find help. As for little Ruby, if she wasn’t so brave and hadn’t remained so calm, it could have been much worse than it was. I wanted to say thank you to Ruby Hattingh, Mikayla Reynolds, Zoe Palmer and Mathew Palmer for being so clever and doing all the right things and being my little heroes.
I have not put in the details of the restaurant as I would not like to show the restaurant in a bad light. They have now taken up this problem and many other problems with their landlord.
TAMMY REYNOLDS
Ballito
‘Thank you for caring

I would like to express my thanks to Dr Gous, Stevens and a caring lady veterinarian, as well as all staff, for all the support and care given to Tappit after he was nearly skinned alive.
They treated and nursed him back to health but after nearly two years, arthritis and calcification of the spine got the better of him and he could not walk. Again with all the care he received he was able to walk again for three months until a fatal seizure on Saturday. Tappit was16 years old in human years.
Thanks to Dr Stevens for missing part of the rugby on Saturday to attend to Tappit in his last minutes and to all the staff for the beautiful flowers sent to me.
Great work guys and girls, keep it up.
MERCIA POWER
Foxhill

Take a stand against corruption

I’m sure you have received mail, and will get lots more, explaining which political party citizens should vote for. That is each voter’s choice.
However, in my discussions with all sorts of people in eThekwini, the issue that gets most people hot under the collar is corruption. I think people generally agree that the ANC of 1994, under Mandela, was doing a good job. Regrettably, the 2014 ANC has lost its way – corruption seems to be endemic. It starts at the top, and percolates right down to the rank and file. This is not what we wanted for our new country. This is certainly not what Mandela spent 27 years of his life in prison for.
I feel embarrassed that the ruling party is openly behaving like this. Wasting our tax money is stealing from us all. Every cent of the public purse that is squandered, is a cent less for improving the lives of ordinary South Africans. Stealing from someone who has a flat and a job, is bad. But stealing from someone who has no house or job, is criminal.
That is what this election is all about, taking a stand against corruption.
GEOFF D A PULLAN
Westbrook

How long will the clean water last?

Last week, walking along Hewitt Road, I was amused, and yet horrified, to see a man washing his face, hands, hair etc, under the gentle flow of water from a Siza Water overflow pipe on the corner of Hugh Dent and Hewitt Roads. Understanding these things are allowed to happen when repairs are being done, to relieve air locks, I was not overly concerned.
Last night to my horror, I found worse. Siza are obviously aware of the situation as since last week, when the gentle flow was obviously washing down into the driveway of the home on the corner of Hewitt, now a 1.5m pipe has been wedged into the overflow pipe, thereby allowing the water to run down into Hugh Dent Drive instead!
So, what has happened to accountability at Siza Water, when such large losses are happening, and this within weeks of “water restrictions” having been imposed (because of empty reservoirs?)?
I also note there was an apology from Siza for the water interruption in the Salt Rock area (Courier April 4). So am I to assume, after being told by the housemaids in that area that this has been like this for nearly three weeks, that this water has been being lost for this long?
After watching Carte Blanche and the serious water woes being experienced in other parts of South Africa, we are indeed very fortunate to still have our clean water – but for how long, at this rate?
Come on Sembcorp Siza Water – step up – this is not good enough!

LYN PATERSON
Salt Rock

Don’t fix it ‘til it’s broken!

Claude Mattsson’s ‘telephone pole’ letter (How can I get Telkom to respond?, Courier, April 11) pretty much sums up post-colonial Africa. Don’t fix it (or maybe not?) until it’s totally broke! Classic!
IAIN COCHRANE
Salt Rock

Great restaurant at The Well

I have read much of the new primarily Italian restaurant near The Well, La Piazza, and eventually was able to try it for lunch on Saturday! We sat outside on the patio enjoying the light breeze and the view over the hills.
The service was attentive but not overly so; the meals were superb, and the prices were not over the top at all. The facilities for children seem more than adequate, allowing parents a break.
We will definitely return and can recommend this new restaurant to anyone who is looking for something somewhat different to the norm.
MIKE MOORE
Zinkwazi

A home away from home

Having to spend time in hospital is always a bit frightening. What a pleasant surprise it was to be admitted to Alberlito Hospital. From pre-admissions to discharge.
Smooth sailing! Extremely caring, friendly and informative people – admin as well as nursing staff. Shiny clean wards.
I want to applaud sister Roshini Maharaj for the professional manner in which she treats her patients. To Drs Riaan Venter and P de Zeeuw, thank you for taking care of me in theatre. Thank you Themba for your welcoming smile as well as your friendly goodbye seeing me off on discharge.
A year ago I experienced exactly the same outstanding service from Dr Dinesh Patel and his staff in the emergency facility.
Alberlito Hospital is more than a five star facility – it is a home away from home!
ELZA PELSER
Ballito

Thank you

Thank you to all who helped save Derick on the weekend of April 7 from the beach:
SAPS Umhlali, Rodney Meyrick, IPSS rapid care, Ryan of NSRI, Kwadukuza emergency services, Sea Rescue, ER24 ambulance service, Lourens Haasbroek and the gentleman from Tinley Manor for his help with his bakkie.
It helped me so much to know there are so many people still caring. Thank you again for the effort and supporting me. I hope I have not left anyone out.
MARTIE GRIESEL
Salt Rock