DEAR Editor,-
I’m amazed at the contents of the editions of ‘Letters to the Editor page’, especially the self-congratulatory tone of same.
Further reading on page 14 (SCH June 14 ‘Downward spiral must be reversed’) has Vijay Naidoo’s concise take on the situation that South Coaster’s find themselves in.
ALSO READ : Good Business Basics: Downward spiral must be reversed
In my opinion he fails to adequately address the SME community problems vis-a-vis restaurants, bars and B&Bs, which has for decades been the backbone and lifeblood of our tourist industry.
Talk to any owners or managers of these and the refrain is the same:
1 If I could sell tomorrow, I would;
2 Net profit has declined year-on-year for the past 10 years;
3 Client profiles regarding spend capability has reduced year-on-year over the past 10 years and is not necessarily down to overall SA economics, but due to the loss of higher-end spending clients being replaced with lower-end clients. (No disrespect to lower-end spenders.)
When one delves deeper into the general opinions above, the same comments are heard repeatedly:
1 Relocation of Durban airport from the south to the north benefiting northern business and negatively impacting southern businesses along with a total (terminal) lack of support for Margate Airport (opportunity missed);
2 Infrastructural chaos – and it can only be termed as such – in particular the ongoing water crisis and lack of basic services, and
3 Lack of policing, both feet on the ground and monitoring of hot spots during high season, mainly due to a perceived, (and I am no way suggesting that it’s true) inherent lack of care and concern regarding tourism maintenance by the police force.
All in all, a sad indictment of our present status – and even worse, an indictment of the future prosperity of the South Coast community.
I for one have zero confidence in the future prosperity of this beleaguered community and even less in the management capabilities of those in public office, to be able to address same in an efficient and capable manner.
Negative, comments yes, however, I would suggest far more accurate than the platitudes regarding South Coast Bike Fest in the past edition of this respected newspaper, which my colleagues and peers inform me was possibly the worst regarding SME (profit) income since inception.
I also have little confidence in the upcoming jazz festival surpassing previous years’ SME profit, however I would gladly like to be proven wrong – stewardship of our mayor notwithstanding.
TRUK REPOOC
Concerned Hibiscus resident
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