Page 10 People’s Post ClaremontRondebosch
LEADER
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Design destiny THE MOTHER CITY has been awarded the title of the world’s Design Capital for 2014. Perhaps fittingly so, as this will be the year we celebrate two decades of democracy. The win confirms that our beloved “Slaapstad” is boldly taking the global stage, to become a major world player and drawcard in the potentially lucrative tourism industry. In 1994 tourism’s contribution to SA’s economy was reported as no more than 2% of Gross Domestic Product. However, with awards such as this and others filling up our trophy cabinet, tourism is fast becoming one of the top earners of foreign currency. In the midst of a global recession, we have something to brighten our spirits: the promise of greater investment and, we hope, a better life for all. These awards translate into tangible benefits for everyone. Every small business that stays open for a little while longer, means that the cashier, the cleaner, the janitor have jobs for a little longer, and able to support their families: a little foreign spend goes a long way. Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille has committed herself to work harder to use design as a tool to clean the remnants of apartheid and bring communities together across the “geographical divide” through improved, innovative design. The award means that future generations of Capetonians will grow up in a city very different to what most of us have known. They will benefit from maximum exposure to other cultures as more flock to our shores. As the winds of change continue to sweep through, Cape Town is fast becoming a city of the world. Hold on to your hats! Today it is good to be Capetonian.
WHILE demographers are unsure exactly when the world’s population will reach the seven billion mark – or whether this might even have already happened - the United
Nations Population Fund officially chose Monday this week to symbolically mark the day. As a result, many parents have claimed
that their new-born baby is, indeed, the 7billionth human on planet Earth. Sadly, noone will ever know who finally tipped the scale.
Your SMSes Charge criminals with sabotage ALMOST daily we are informed of the millions lost due to copper theft and corruption. We hear of the different strategies to bring these economic terrorists to book. The citizens of South Africa are the victims of these terrorists. There are suggestions to make copper cable theft an act of sabotage, with appropriate sentences. Talk without action is cheap. Another way to stop this sabotage, is to force scrap dealers to buy the copper cables of whatever size or thickness, still in its covering, and every person selling these cables must be photographed. The scrap yards should be visited and inspected by trained inspectors. The other measure is to ban all copper sales at scrap yards. Pehaps scrap yard dealers themselves can
propose a better prevention method. Crimes of corruption must be exposed in great detail in the media and the head of that department must explain in detail, who, how and how much. Corruption past and present must be exposed to us by senior investigative journalists, department heads and law enforcement with all the details. The public, when you hear conversations, speak of the locusts eating our nation’s corn and in vast amounts because the proceeds of the corruption is not from the small change in the tickey pockets. No, it’s being taken in bakkie loads and the big question is when are the locusts going to be stopped. KEITH BLAKE Ottery
In response . The article “From swept floors to chalkboards” is a fantastic story, which just goes to show that hard work does pay off and dreams can come true. Peter Hendricks, I wish you everything of the very best in your new venture. NJ, Kirstenhof . Talking about spaying animals, the SPCA should reduce their prices. They are so expensive that my dogs are having pups year after year and I just give them away. . What is this about 50 free units? I have never received any free units of electricity. . Lady, you have a problem. Dogs are dogs. That’s why they are not allowed in shops. Adopt a child and see the difference. Dogs are animals and you can-
not change that. Shampoo them all you like, they are still animals and don’t belong in a shop. . To all those moaning about barking dogs: The average dog is a better person than the average person. Why is nobody complaining about spoiled kids screaming and crying in shops? Animal lover Putting the sense in census . If the census is all about statistics and not an invasion of privacy, why did they need to know my name and the name of my business? . To all census field workers: I know what you are going through as my daughter is also a field worker. I just hope that you all receive your salaries on time as stipulated in your contracts. Keep us
Final countdown for Sheaffer competition
ENTRIES have been pouring in for the People’s Post Sheaffer Pens competition and, because of numerous requests from locals who haven’t completed their entries yet, we have decided to give you only one more day to put your thoughts to paper. A selection of entries will also be pub-
lished this week giving you the advantage of sussing out your competition. Next week, we will publish the names of readers who have won one of 10 Sheaffer 9137 Silver Shimmer FT roller-ball pen with nickel-plated trimming.
Simply write to us, ensuring that your letter is no longer than 300 words, and you could be a winner! To enter the competition, email, fax or post your letters, marked “Sheaffer Pens”, to us by 15:00 tomorrow (Wednesday).
posted. Just a thought . Dear Lynn, the World Cup is wrapped up and Bok supporters still cry that they were robbed. If this is the case, report it to the police and move on. The trophy was won so get a life. Well done, All Blacks. Stanley . People who work from home need to consider their neighbours. Why should we have to put up with the extra traffic and noise? If this is what we wanted we would live in a business area and not a residential one. . It’s time for the Department of Social Development to audit NGOs and NPOs who are receiving funding but not providing services. Stealing from the poor? Peter, Cape Town
The winners will be announced in People’s Post on Tuesday 8 No-
vember. Email post@peoplespost.co.za or fax to (021) 713-9481. Alternatively post your entry to 240 Old Mutual Building, Main Road, Tokai, 7966. Get writing!