One person makes all the difference with excellent public service

Limpopo civil servants are often criticised for poor service delivery. Nurses top the critics’ list and this paints a general picture that all those working at hospitals are rotten tomatoes.

However, there are those who dedicate their lives to the public, something that makes them great public servants.

On Monday I was at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital for a doctor’s appointment.

As usual, the registration area was packed to capacity, mainly by senior citizens.

It really looked like a mad house with many patients sitting in the wrong queues due to lack of information.

All of a sudden, I heard a woman speaking loudly: “Dumelang lekae? Good morning and how are you, goeie more almal”.

This was Estelle van Rooyen, a lady dressed in all white.

“Mama, have you been helped? What are you here for? How can I help?”

She is heard throughout, giving directions to lost or uninformed patients, making it easy for the elderly to find their way around the hospital facilities.

For me, this is the best service one can get in a public facility.

For this job well done, give Estelle van Rooyen a Bells. She deserves it.

Polokwane resident