DEAR Editor,-
Whilst applauding Pat Symcox’s initiative (‘Hibberdene needs help SCH February 1), I offer the following thoughts.
There are serious problems facing the South Coast, especially in terms of service delivery where it directly affects the mainstay of the local economy (tourism) and, on a daily basis, the lives of its inhabitants.
ALSO READ : Hibberdene needs help
The collection of litter, the state of verges, the upkeep of all public buildings and spaces such as Margate’s main assembly hall, are all deserving of urgent attention.
The Port Shepstone Licensing Department is a classic example of a facility in excessive daily use that should be condemned.
How anyone can expect the staff of such a building to provide an essential daily service to the public efficiently and speedily is unbelievable.
The impression perceived by the general public is that government shows no interest in an area which pays rates for all their staff, councillors and services that are only partially delivered.
The greater need behind this is to appoint a team of negotiators to represent the whole South Coast.
Their task would be to assess the main problems facing the South Coast, along with financial estimates required for solutions, based on the old adage ‘Throw enough money at it and it will be fixed’.
Improved water supply, an end to power outages, improved sanitation and elimination of potholes will soak up a lot.
My suggestion is that the South Coast needs a ‘champion’ – an individual with greater-than-average local clout.
The ‘champion’ must be ably assisted by a team of professionals to set up meetings with government and make well-documented presentations of the scale of problems.
They would make recommendations based on professional analyses as to solutions, accompanied by estimated costs, balanced by obvious benefits such as large-scale job creation, to address the extremely high unemployment rate, especially amongst the youth.
Stress must be made that benefits of these improvements will not be limited to local people – levels of satisfaction and comfort must be uplifted from Amazimtoti to Port Shepstone to attract thousands of visitors.
These visitors will return home far more impressed than before – and word will soon spread.
This part of the country has more so much to offer visitors than game parks or mountains surrounded by freezing seas.
Coming from Europe, I’m more than happy to spend 95 percent of my time living on the South Coast.
I hear north England accents every day in and around Margate – These permanent residents were also tempted into living here, despite all the problems. Makes you think.
MIKE KIRBY
Manaba resident
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