TOTT 21 March 2019

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6 Talk of the Town ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook March 21, 2019 OPINION Fighting fire with a slow response Ndlambe fire department has received flak before for slow response times to a fire that had been reported to them. One of these was the Kenton bakery fire in June 2018 where the community came together to fight the blaze, while they were waiting for the fire department to arrive. The fire truck was apparently stuck at a stop-go on the R72 before it could even leave Port Alfred. This was before the new emergency services response centre at Bushman’s River was finally ready, with its own fire tenders to respond to emergencies on the west side of Ndlambe. On another occasion in 2018, the fire tender took an hour to arrive at a fire at an RDP house in Thornhill, which is just down the drag from the Port Alfred fire station on the R67! If it wasn’t for community members coming together to fight the fire and rescue the man inside the house, it might have been much worse. They fetched buckets of water and extinguished the blaze before the fire truck arrived. As it is, the man lost all his possessions to the flames, but the structure was saved. The criticism levelled at the fire department may have been warranted, but we must take into account other factors which also enter the equation, especially in the fire that claimed a life at Little Lilly this week. A response time of an hour to reach a fire at Little Lilly is unacceptable on the face of it. Although the fire engine getting there sooner would not have saved the life of the person who died – she had already suffered burns – there was an imminent danger of the fire spreading to adjoining apar tments. But Ndlambe fire department offered reasons for the delays which should be taken into consideration. First, they said they were told the location of the fire was Flame Lilly, another apartment complex, although neighbouring Little Lilly. If they approached Flame Lilly from West Beach Drive, it is possible they would have seen no sign of the fire as Flame Lilly is a huge building and obstructs views. Then, after getting the right address, the department reported their Dennis fire truck had fuel system problems, so they proceeded to the scene with just their smaller fire response vehicle and used a nearby hydrant to douse the blaze. This is a more worrying factor, as it reveals a problem surfaced only when the Dennis was being used. It should have been picked up in regular maintenance. We hope the fire department sorts these issues out. –Jon Houzet 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Tide Guide Kind courtesy-SA Navy HIGH 1636 0421 1711 0456 1743 0530 1815 0602 1847 0634 1918 0705 1955 0739 2059 0822 L OW 1034 2248 1109 2322 1143 2355 1215 ---- 1247 0027 1319 0057 1354 0129 1448 0207 VISUALISING IN PRAYER: The ladies from St James Catholic Church in Port Alfred recently presented a service for residents of Damant Lodge, marking the World Women’s Day of Prayer. The theme this year focused on the simple, hardworking life of the women of Croatia. The ladies were appropriately dressed, to honour the women of Croatia. From left are Anne Hagle, Mariella de Koning, Sylvia Warren and Maureen Smith HAVE YOUR S AY Letters to PO Box 2871, Port Alfred - or e-mail to houzetj@tisoblackstar.co.za This is an open forum for readers to express their opinions. However, the publishers reserve the right to shorten letters. Those printed are not necessarily the views of Talk of the Town. Although noms de plume may be used, letters must be signed and have an authentic contactable address & telephone number. Talk of the Town reserves the right to not publish letters. Please limit letters to 250 words or less. Many know where the druglords are By all accounts, according to the crime briefs in Talk of the Town and reports on WhatsApp groups, crime appears to be on the increase in Port Alfred and surrounding areas. No doubt, a small portion of the crime is related to poverty and desperate folk are forced to steal. However, I would suggest that the majority of crime committed is drug-related. As per crime briefs in Talk of the Town on February 28 it is obvious that the most sought-after items are cell phones, laptops, jewellery and cash. Theft of copper piping appears to be on the up. All these above-mentioned items can be easily disposed of for purpose of buying drugs. What really is of major concern to me – and many like-minded people in Port Alfred and surrounding areas – is that we citizens know who the druglords are. Where they live and their modus operandi are all well-known to the ordinary citizens of this town. We citizens are reluctant to offer the above information to the relevant officials in authority because it is alleged that some of these officials might be on the druglords’ payroll – and are in cahoots with them. Getting rid of the druglords will definitely have an impact on reducing crime in this area. Why must the majority of citizens, who are law-abiding, be forced to live like prisoners in their homes? In conclusion, it would be appreciated if, via Talk of the Town, we could get an official response from the relevant officials, as to whether any arrests of drug-dealers have been made. If not, why not, because like I have mentioned, many citizens know who the druglords are and where they operate from. Surely this should be common knowledge to SAPS?. I certainly will not be holding my breath waiting for a response. ANONYMOUS Emergency numbers Port Alfred hospital – (046) 604-4000 Police station – (046) 604-2001/2 Multi-Security – (046) 624-2508 Chubb Security – (046) 624-4810 Sky Alarms – (046) 624-2806 NSRI – 082-990-5971 Electricity (a/h) - (046) 624-1111 EMS (Emergency Medical Services) – 10177 Gardmed –082-759-2134 Holistic EMS – 063-460-0042 Fire Department – (046) 624-1111 Snakes alive! Thanks to Richard for saving day SNAKE HANDLER: Richard Mavikane from Ndlambe Nature Conservation successfully retrieved a puffadder from a Port Alfred resident’s garden A big thank you to Richard Mavikane from Ndlambe Nature Conservation for his dedication and professional service when I found a rather large puffadder in our front garden recently. He came over and secured the little (?) guy and all went well. The snake is safe, and so are we! Another big thanks to Michelle from Sky Alarms for giving me Richard's cellphone n u m b e r. After several unsuccessful phone calls trying to find a professional snake catcher, I phoned Sky Alarms and Michelle could help me. It would help a lot of people if the names and telephone numbers of the snake catchers of nature conservation could be included in the emergency numbers in TotT, especially where there is any danger to the snakes or the members and pets of the household. Too many snakes are killed because people do not know how to handle the situation. ANNETJIE ROGERS Licensing a total nightmare It is not difficult to work out why there are so many complaints around the lack of service from the staff at the licensing department in Port Alfred. One has only to visit the office on any day to experience the overcrowding. You will see 20 to 30 people crammed into a space of not more than 25m², standing for one hour or more waiting to be attended to. There will be no staff member ever to answer queries or assist in any way. There are no designated areas informing the public where to queue. Under these intolerable and unhygienic conditions it is no wonder the public complain. I cannot believe that any councillor has ever experienced the shocking conditions existing there. If nobody else, then the DA should fight hard to radically improve the situation at this depar tment. It must be housed in a much larger premises and the three sections – driver’s licences, learner’s licences and motor vehicle licences – must be separated for better efficiency. Here’s hoping that something will be done and the matter will not be discussed at length and left on the back burner. CON VAN HASSELT
March 21, 2019 ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook Talk of the Town 7 FA C E 2FA C E ... with Gavin Tessendorf Human nature and conventions of Question: Tell us about your job. Answer: I am a manager at Rosehill SUPERSPAR and have been at the store since it opened in 2008. Q: What made you get into that line of work? A: I have a degree in food science, but limited work opportunities in my field in this region resulted in me finding a compatible alternative because I love living here. Q: Describe your most memorable experience. A: Watching the birth of my daughter, Kelly, who was conceived against all medical odds. Q: What do you do to unwind when you are not working? A: I read extensively. I am attempting to resurrect my running career and am an avid rugby and cricket armchair suppor ter. Q: What is your motto in life? A: Family time, hot summer days on the beach, and an ice-cold beer or a glass of wine. Q: What makes you angry? A: Disrespect, rudeness, deceitfulness and lack of compassion. Q: What do you think about the youth of SA? Do you have any advice for them? A: The world owes no one a favour. Hard work, perseverance and realistic expectations will see you develop and grow. Q: If you could change one thing about Port Alfred . . . A: The state of roads is one obvious response, but things are slowly improving. Q: What do you like most about Port Alfred? A: Ocean, rivers, bushveld, and small-town ambience rolled into one. Q: What is your favourite music of all time? A: The 1960s and 1970s produced some iconic artists, such as Bob Dylan, Dire Straits, U2, The Eagles, Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen. Q: Name three people you would like to invite for dinner (dead or alive). A: My father who recently passed away; Albert Einstein; and Neil Armstrong. Q: Three wishes for SA. A: Jail the corrupt; peaceful elections on May 8, resulting in a leader who will serve the interests of our country – not his or her political party. VOLCANIK TELEVISION 29 Biscay Road TEL: (046) 624 3630 POWER INVERTER AVAILABLE FROM R6000 Unsung heroes deserve society’s recognition THINK ABOUT IT ... with Roy Hewett society have developed systems which produce heroes who enjoy immense fame and, often, totally disproportionate wealth. Clever marketers and big business have long been aware of man’s innate need for entertainment and heroes . . . and they have exploited this to generate vast sums of money. Sportsmen, singers and musicians who have talent, but also fortuitous timing and powerful publicity backing, often achieve “hero worship” st at u s . An examination of the top earners in society will show clearly how many of these “sung” heroes feature prominently and highlight their almost obscene wealth. The achievements and fame that generally determine heroes in the conventional sense ... . do they measure up to the unsung heroes who miss the glare of attention and mass appeal? Does society apportion a fair measure of recognition to the anonymous philanthropist or the “Good Samaritan” who helps a person in dist ress? In the words of Daniel J. Boorstin: “In our world of big names, curiously, our true heroes tend to be anonymous. In this life of illusion and quasi-illusion, the person of solid virtues who can be admired for something more substantial than his well-knownness often proves to be the unsung hero: the teacher, the nurse, the mother, the honest cop, the hard worker at lonely, underpaid, unpublicised jobs.” Consider the nature-conscious beach visitor who regularly and energetically removes plastic and other damaging debris in a heroic service to our planet. What of the highly-skilled and successful businessman who leaves the comforts of his urban life to work for the upliftment of remote rural settlements? And the individuals who sponsor or mentor the less privileged? Those who campaign and fight for river, forest and fauna preservation are true heroes. Konica Annan put it well: “These often unsung heroes understand . . that poverty, disease and famine are just as deadly and destructive as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis. Individuals . . . are taking on these challenges in their communities, volunteering to make a difference. They remain the true champions of our work towards the Millennium Development Goals.” Unsung heroes arguably deserve recognition in equal measure. . While specific talent, skill and some luck often determine the fortunes of conventional heroes, the unsung heroes more commonly display courage, consciousness of the needs of others and a concern for the health and well-being of our planet. This is well depicted by Justin Cronin in The Summer Guest, where he says: “Real courage is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. Doing the unpopular thing because it's what you believe, and the heck with everybody.” ROYAL PORT ALFRED GOLF CLUB Tel: 046 624 4796 | Fax: 046 624 4388 Email: corrie@rpagc.co.za ROYAL PORT ALFRED GOLF CLUB BUCO (MAIN STREET) LADIES OPEN DAY Due to much welcomed rains the RPAGC BUCO (Main Street) Ladies Open had to be postponed from 10 th March 2019 and will now take place on Sunday 14 th July 2019. We would like to thank the following sponsors who have kindly agreed to extend their sponsorship to the new ĚĂĞŚĞĂŋĞŝůůĂůŽďĞĚĂŶŽŶŚĞĚĂ Anonymous, BUCO (Main Street), BUCO (Albany Road), Carara, FNB, Foschini, Inso Aluminium, GBS Mutual Bank, Kekkel & Kraai, Kowie Toyota, KTP, Leach Pharmacy, Nanaga ĂŵŽĞĞĂĞĂŶĚŽĞĂŝĂĞ Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve, Pam Golding, Pennyfarthing, Pezula Golf Course, Pro Shop PE, Rosehill Spar, Royal Port Alfred Golf Club, Spinning Reel, Stenden South Africa, Sue Kennedy, The Bed Store, The Links, ŶŝĞŝŐŚŶŐŚĂĨĞĞŝΘĞŐ Pogs Smith Lady Captain
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TOTT 21 March 2019

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