#Letter: Sincere, open dialogue needed

Tony Kruger of Ballito writes:

With reference to letters in last week’s newspaper by Messrs. Viljoen and Lever regarding the proposed building of a mosque in Butterfly Park.

Both provide some background to the matter, but neither tell of any steps taken to date to resolve the issue.

Disappointing is Docrra’s sidestepping of my comment on possible underlying motives (conscious/otherwise), simply asserting that the issue “has nothing to do with race or religion, or how Docrra is managed”.

Perhaps so.

Then I ask, has the association met face to face with the ZIS, in good faith, and what has it done to try and achieve a mutually acceptable resolution to the issue?

Preferably, please provide this information via this letters page, and not in separate correspondence with me.

It is noteworthy that there are some buildings in the park area – a Lions Club clubhouse, used jointly as a Scouts Hall, a soccer ground, a gym.

Who allowed these to be built? And, were there objections at the time, given they have the same impact on the area as this proposed mosque building could have, i.e., on the self-same “park area and forest” (Mr Viljoen) and “public parkland” (Mr Lever)?

Or, was it perhaps decided that the buildings and their associated activities were ‘acceptable’.

If so, decided on by who and with what rationale? Perhaps the letter writers can educate and enlighten me.

Both writers point an accusatory finger at the municipality as being a major contributor to the dilemma.

Probably rightly so.

So, I again call on the council to respond and update the community it serves.

I voted for a councillor in last year’s election, Tammy Colley, and ask her to provide an update on what proactive measures are planned to deal with the issue expeditiously this year, that are inclusive, and in the interests of the Ballito community as a whole.

Regrettably the ZIS has not given any response. In particular, an indication of its willingness to joint problem solve the issue. They are called on to do so.

It matters not that any efforts in the past have failed to resolve the issue, and it may yet be challenging to get it sorted out.

But, for the long term, a broader mutually satisfactory outcome is needed.

This can only properly be achieved through sincere, open dialogue between the concerned parties, all sharing a genuine and demonstrable willingness to work together.

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