Some advice for our beleaguered Metro Head of Communications Roland Williams whose ‘accepting of largess from a rival to Times Media’ is being spotlighted in The Herald newspaper.
Williams responded today to The Herald’s front page article about his “unethical conduct” in accepting “An all-expenses-paid golfing trip to Paarl……which was paid for by printing giant Paarl Media.”
According to The Herald; “Paarl Media received the last R7.8-million tender to print the municipality’s Ubuntu magazine – a project spearheaded by Williams’s department.”
Roland responded to the allegations today and I want to cut to the crux of the matter as at the end of the letter Roland says; “And by the way, for the record, I really don’t play golf.”
Aaah, I thought, now Roland is really a man after my own heart after all as for years my pay off line has always been; “Golf is for people who DON’T know how to sail!”
I can assure you Roland that if you come and join me at a sailing regatta people will know just how charitable and community minded you really are.
Let me explain with a little, quick story:
The Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals AND the 2015 505 World Championship Practise regatta have both just finished being sailed in Port Elizabeth and featured 38 teams from outside Port Elizabeth who stayed in our wonderful city for 4 nights. Nine of those teams were from foreign countries and have decided that South Africa is safe enough for them to bring their families here next year for TWO weeks in Port Elizabeth. Yes, we worked hard to show them that the negative perceptions they have of our crime are not as scary as they thought.
Over the last four days of sailing we saw 10 support boats manned by 38 volunteers who set the different sailing courses and provided support in terms of rescue and assistance.
And here we come to the crux of the matter, dear Roland – NOT ONE OF THOSE VOLUNTEERS IS PAID – on this group of volunteers we have high powered business people, youth, ordinary workers and retirees all giving up of their time and money in order to support an event that supports sailing and our title of the ‘watersport capital’, gets front page exposure, gives a spectacular feast for the eyes of our citizens and puts valuable tourist spend into our city.
Our volunteers, just like you Roland also; “….[do] serious and sincere community work”.
So, Roland, forget the rumour mongers, put down your golf club and come and join me at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club as a volunteer and sailor as we celebrate really giving back to our community. By the way, Roland, we also have a wonderful youth sailing school which Isla Rhayne is more than welcome to come and join when she is ready – ABYC is very keen to share the love of the sea and sailing with all.
Alan Straton
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Ooops Roland, seems I was wrong in the numbers – it has just been pointed out to me that I need to also highlight the shore crews who also assist voluntarily with secretarial, results and PR type functions – so thanks to those 8 odd bods as well.