Disappearing acts

At Forest Village in the Brettenwood Estate we are always on the look-out for outings to offer the residents some entertainment.
Recently we approached the management of the Sasko bakery near Shakaskraal for a short educational visit to their factory. After they agreed and an exploratory visit was concluded to confirm that the pensioners would be able to manage their way around stairs and such at the plant, we tried to finalise arrangements with them. Sadly after numerous e-mails and attempts to make the arrangements, seven weeks have passed without any response.
In a similar incident, we tried to arrange Zulu language lessons with a person in Ballito some three months ago. A date, time and venue was discussed and agreed but the person who was to give the lessons just evaporated.
In October we required advice on an income tax issue and met with a consultant at a firm of local auditors. We submitted our details and after not hearing from them for four weeks, we contacted them to enquire about progress and the consultant reported that no progress had been made but that it would be given attention. Out of frustration we went to the firm and asked the consultant to return our file and this was handed back to us without an apology or explanation.
Too often we hear of people who contact local service providers, be it an electrician, plumber, builder, cabinet maker or whatever else, even submitting quotes for work, before they just disappear into thin air.
If you don’t want to do the work or provide the service, just have the guts and good manners to say so, but don’t leave people in the lurch.
KF REYNOLDS
Salt Rock