Where’s that welcome?
It was discovered this week that there is much room for improvement.
LAST week the Herald featured part one of its three-part series titled ‘Where’s that welcome?‘ which featured the entrances to suburbs from Margate to Port Edward.
Not surprisingly, Southbroom won the ‘grand entrance’ award for its striking ingress. The town scored nine out of 10, while Margate’s crowded entrance, bombarded with advertising boards, got five out of 10.
A welcome/gateway sign is rated out of 10 based on how impressive, unique or inviting it is to visitors.
As they say, first impressions are lasting, and the same applies to places.
The question asked is: What impression does a town/suburb leave with a visitor?
This week we travelled from Port Shepstone to Manaba and, worryingly, not a single place is worthy of a mention, let alone a winner.
Most disappointing is the entrance to Port Shepstone – the fountain hasn’t worked for years and is now the perfect receptacle for cardboard. The landscaped garden is strewn with weeds and litter. To top it off the kerb has been dug up and left.
Although the wall which reads ‘welcome to Shelly Beach’ has been there a while, it could certainly do with a garden to enhance the welcome.
To make matters worse, a ‘spot fines’ sign has been erected by the municipality, blocking the ‘Sea you soon’ farewell.
If you are perhaps looking for that popular holiday spot called St Mike’s, there is simply no sign. In fact, if you are a visitor searching for Manaba you will have to hunt high and low for a signboard to determine where exactly on the coast you might be.
As they say – there is always room for improvement. So the challenge is on, South Coasters! HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
