‘Parting Shot’ column: Endumeni’s wish list for 2023 (the short version)

Terry Worley
2022 was a year of horror!
It was a year to forget.
It was the year many are glad to see the back of.
Starting with so much promise, following the end of the suffocating Covid-19 restrictions, 2022 quickly slid into a morass of public and personal tragedy. The terrible story that emerged from DHS caused great angst in the town.
This was quickly followed by the horrific murder of a young woman whose body was found dumped in a field.
There were continuous water cuts that again had the town marching in frustration.
Eskom added to the town’s woes, as did potholes, misery at Home Affairs, the homeless sleeping on the pavements, and finally, the drama at Buffalo Coal that resulted in angry workers blocking the R33.
It seemed to be a year that just kept giving, like the recently concluded World Cup did, but not the kind of stuff you would like to receive.
Many residents now describe Dundee as probably one of the dirtiest towns in Northern KZN. The drains are choked with litter and this in turn causes flooding after a heavy downpour.
There is always much talk of local pride, but a lot more action rather than words will have to be put in place if Dundee is to ever make it onto the top 10 list of the most underrated and must-see towns in the country.
Getaway Travel has Underberg as the only KZN representative, with towns like Victoria West, Kleinmond and even Parys also featuring. Dundee always billed itself as a tourist town, but a mountain of work would need to be done if we are to get remotely close to these towns that are obviously doing something right.
So we have compiled a Christmas wish list for 2023 for Endumeni:
* Clean gutters.
(Not too expensive to complete if you have refuse bags and pride)
* Drivable roads, especially in the industrial area. (Doable if the powers-that-be cut down on unnecessary expenses and root out electricity theft)
* Implementation of by-laws. (Residents say they feel vulnerable because the much-vaunted by-laws that are there to control the infamous park parties / drinking in public, etc, are simply not enforced)
* A reliable supply of water. (The fields are green and the rivers are flowing, so ‘let’s find out exactly what’s happening’ with those pumps at Tayside and at the Biggarsberg Water Treatment Plant)
* No load-reduction. (Possibly get people to stop stealing power. This is asking a lot)
Perhaps we should order Ferraris instead. Make it easier for the New Year.