DEAR Editor,-
I live in Ramsgate and by saying this, most South Coasters would think that I want to complain about the horrendous water interruptions we have been experiencing for the past three weeks.
Although I am very unhappy, disappointed, angry and frustrated at being deprived of a basic human right and necessity, with family visiting and a baby in the house, I am writing this letter to say thank you.
During the last three weeks of terrible water disruptions in the area, it has been very hard to get straight answers and decent information from Ugu with regards to what exactly is going on and estimated repair periods.
However, there are still a few decent people working at Ugu and these people can save the South Coast.
Lungile Cele, assistant general manager at Ugu, has been ‘rock solid’ and worked very hard to solve problems and resolve the situation with Ramsgate’s water interruptions.
Managing teams ‘on the ground’ and other resources over the long weekends and the Easter break, could definitely not have been easy. With many households rightfully complaining and querying the situation, I am sure that many of them, frustrated and angry, ended up at her door and then were rude and demanding.
I would not like to be in her shoes when big disruptions like the past one happens. During the entire period she had only been polite and informative and not once rude, agitated or offensive when asked about the problem and estimated repair times.
I know she also has a baby and a family to take care of and is just a normal human being like the rest of us. But she was working throughout the crisis we had and I believe she was on-site during the late hours of the night and also working from the Ugu offices over the long weekends to meet and organise teams and resources.
If all of the people working for Ugu could be like Lungile and her team, I am sure the problems regarding this municipality would surely ‘dry up’ and disappear, and make this municipality great at service delivery and maintenance, like it should be.
Thank you Lungile, I salute your integrity, hard work and your efforts to make a difference, even when others are reluctant to help. And a special thanks to the unknown people that you rely on as well.
JOHANN PRINSLOO
Ramsgate
