Written by John R. Botha

This open letter is written with the rather vain hope that the “responsible” people might actually read it. It is in reaction to the article in the Herald dated 9 July 2026. I have little or no hope of getting any positive reaction, as those targeted will likely view this as an attack on their persona or positions. This stance is corroborated by years of Herald articles that usually end with “the municipality was approached for their response but at the time of going to press declined to comment.”

 In 1995, most of us truly believed a new dispensation had dawned, giving hope to thinking, responsible South Africans. Nelson Mandela’s legacy, enshrouded by the concept of Ubuntu, conjured hopes of a fair, just, and responsible society. A society, particularly concerning those in charge of state and municipal affairs, should be responsible and especially accountable.

This, in Potchefstroom, has, by and large, been a pipe dream. Some have suggested that we should name and shame the officials and managers responsible for our civil services. I believe that naming and shaming will have absolutely no effect because these individuals seemingly have no conscience and cannot be shamed. Those who oversee fixing potholes, collecting garbage on schedule, properly repairing and maintaining streetlights, and/or those responsible for enforcing municipal by-laws, such as noise control regulations, clearly do not give a damn. They expect to be paid their salaries for doing nothing. They have no pride and therefore no shame.

To illustrate this, look at the streetlight in front of my own house. It was “taken out” by a reckless driver back in April 2024 and has remained a street corner amputee ever since. It is contributing to increased vandalism, hooligan behaviour, and petty crime at night in the conveniently dark street.

Garbage collection also repeatedly fails because it seems that evening or weekend collection is more financially rewarding for the workers – and thence our very high bill for overtime!

Furthermore, a water pipe leak inside a pothole was finally fixed after much pressure – but the road surface is still not fixed 10 months later! In all instances, the managers who are supposed to be in charge of just getting the work done are absent. I guess it is more important to keep their seat cushions warm in the Dan Tloome building. I challenge them to contact me.

And then: I have enquired and complained numerous times about the complete lack of municipal by-law enforcement regarding excessive noise. Potchefstroom is acoustically being held hostage by numerous night spots (nightclubs/watering holes) such as the BLK Lounge, Skybar, venues on the Bult, the Trimpark, and even certain guest houses and shebeens.  These establishments deem it their right to bombard the whole town with incessant noise disguised as music.  Their loud, bass-driven beats shake every house, old-age home, hospital, and child’s bedroom, often until 02:00, and sometimes later!

As far as this lack of accountability by the municipality enforcing by-laws strictly is concerned, I appeal to the wider Potchefstroom public to stand together, take back our town, and rid ourselves of this scourge of unwanted noise.

Despite the overriding lack of service delivery across town (and as illustrated in front of my house), the ANC-led Town Council has just voted in a 50% salary increase for the municipal manager, as reported in last week’s Herald! He will now “earn” more money in a year than over half of my accumulated pension, which took me nearly 40 years to earn. According to the Herald, he is not the only one lined up for a hefty pay increase. This smacks of municipal capture for self-enrichment!

Why do we have to suffer this ANC-controlled collection of “governors,” but even more – why do voters keep supporting these bums?

So – no UBUNTU, no accountability, and no one doing their appointed jobs. A turd-world city in a turd-world country.

*Note: The views and opinions expressed in this reader’s letter are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or position of the Potchefstroom Herald, its editorial staff or publishers.