Dear Editor
Yesterday morning (5 May 2011) I was teaching at Missionvale campus of NMMU, and drove through a pile of human shit on the road, after distressed residents of Missionvale had protested against the ‘bucket system’ by blocking the road and pouring out the contents of their buckets. You may remember that two years ago, there were similar protests by residents of Missionvale, blocking the Uitenhage road, although not with shit.
What interests me is that although I heard a report of this protest on SAFM radio, when I search on the internet there is NO mention of it – not in The Herald, Radio Algoa, SABC, YouTube, or any Google source. Interesting, yes?
What news is considered important to our community? To the South African community? What is more important or basic than sewerage? Who represents communities such as Missionvale in the media? Why do they have no voice??
Janet Cherry
Editors Notes: The image of the bucket above was taken in Missionvale on 26 November 2010. Think a little bit about this – no running water, no sewage, no dignity. And this has been the situation since pre-democracy. If you were in this situation and had been promised services by successive local governments what would you do?
I think that the residents should tear down the shack structures around their homes, move their buckets to the side of the road and SHIT in PUBLIC – now that would get someone to sit up and take notice!
It all seems a little sad that politicians promise time and time again and NEVER deliver. Come on guys, it is like eating an elephant – you do it one bit at a time and systematically.
BTW Janet – thank you for highlighting the plight of the Missionvale residents – please feel free to carry on maybe we will see the solution in our time along with a big smile from Sister Ethel.
Port Elizabethan
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The ANC have been talking sh!t for the past 17 years…
Sister Ethel has more than R20m in the bank, can”t she help the community?
And you know this about the supposed R20m HOW? @MyPE:disqus
Have a look at their AFS
It appears to be NOT publically available on their web site. Do you have a link to the Audited Financial Statements? BUT, as far as I can see Sister Ethel is doing a good job already in helping the community. Her brief is not to become involved in infrastructural projects like provision of toilets which are the responsibility of the Municipality.
Missionvale Care Centre needs to be investigated … Most projects have grinded to a halt due to Sister Ethels health and her not being in attendance … the carpentry has stopped, the craft centre closed, the head master fired and the school handed over to another oganisation, the R6m HIV centre standing empty. It was reported in the Herald that the entire Board resigned last year? The centre is now in the hands of an incompetent “manager” (nurse), monies received for food parcels etc is being kept in the bank … donations received go home with staff members …