Municipal stalwart shifts his roots
Barney Robinson and his wife, Moira are moving to Durban for their retirement.
Diligence, loyalty, perseverance, respect and experience.
These are the defining qualities of Barnett (Barney) Robinson, who is retiring and leaving Newcastle after more than four decades in the municipal Parks Department.
In the eyes of his superiors, this jack of all trades has been one of Parks’ greatest assets.
Over the course of 44 years, Mr Robinson has moved between positions and offices, from a subsidised labourer at the age of 16 to a Grade 3 clerk at 63 years of age.
Now, the time has come for Mr Robinson and wife, Moira to settle down at the coast.
“We felt while our health is good, we want to retire. We will be moving to Durban and I hope to find a part-time job in a nursery.”
Steering his life by the stars of respek kweek respek, translated to ‘respect nurtures respect’, Mr Robinson said he would truly miss the friends made over an expansive career.
His wealth of knowledge will be a massive loss for the department. Both Vish Govender and Khaya Ngwane, high-ups within the department, said it was imperative to acknowledge Mr Robinson for his long service, and for a near-impeccable record in handling customer complaints, records, administration and salaries.
“We need to acknowledge experience to the extent where it can be imparted upon the younger guys.” Mr Govender admitted he had tried to convince Mr Robinson to stay on, owing to his meticulous method of completing documentation by hand, his commitment to the task at hand and what he could still offer. “He is a role model for the younger municipal employees. God willing, we might one day achieve the same.”
Mr Robinson is wished everything of the best for the future, good health and a fulfilling retirement.
