8 LEADER
PEOPLE'S POST | CONSTANTIA | WYNBERG Thursday, 21 November 2013
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Hit pause
You would be excused to think the world is in decline – even more than it is. Floods in the Philippines, flash floods in the Cape, an earthquake in Johannesburg. In Cape Town CBD, a building collapsed after the heavy rains and in Durban a mall reportedly caved in, killing one person. Added to the apocalyptic weather, there’s Christmas barging its way into our collective psyche. So it’s a mad flurry of making mental notes of essential must-haves (which clearly aren’t), double-check bookings for getaways and doing a 007 manoeuvre to figure out what gifts to take your hosts. And as the big day looms, frustration mounts. There’s filling Christmas stockings, checking those ever-lengthening lists at least twice to make sure all bases are covered. Then there’s social media adding to the chaos we simply can’t live without. Constant posts slipping into your Facebook newsfeed about road death tolls and the escalating crime rate, and the gnawing worry if loved ones are safe. The expected road death tolls combined with the persistent escalating crime rate would play on the mind when making sure your loved ones are safe. There’s a sane, sensible part of your mind quietly observing your lunatic behaviour and it’s going: “Tsk! Tsk!” Yes, it disapproves of your manic behaviour this season. So, be kind to yourself. Please. What possible reason is there to try rearranging the world because it’s been negatively reinforced since childhood. Hit pause – you’ll find you will like it. Reflect, take stock and give yourself some time to be at peace with yourself and your world. Think of the less fortunate, think of those trapped in dire poverty. Think. Have a calmer holiday. You need it.
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Scoop your pet’s poop I am thoroughly sick and tired of clearing dog excrement from the verge outside my property, (despite) the City of Cape Town City requesting residents to maintain the area and keep it tidy. I am certain there is a bylaw which enforces dog owners to clean up after their animals do their business in a public place. Many People’s Post readers have visited the UK and other countries where this ruling is strictly enforced and dog owners can
be subjected to quite a hefty fine if they disobey the law. However, in this part of the world if a law exists, it is totally ignored. I would, therefore, (like to) ask dog owners to show some consideration for the owners of the properties and adjoining verges used by their animals as a toilet. Carry a plastic bag and a “pooper-scooper” and clean up after your animals. R F GUY, Meadowridge
Gasping at the high cost of shopping This is one letter I may have a problem to really express what (all people) are experiencing to place a meagre menu on the table. My wife and I went to a supermarket to buy a few basic food items. The prices made us gasp and place back the items due to the (cost). These are not scarce products one has to struggle to manufacture or grow and where high price tags are justified, but are produced in mass in our fields and in factories. When a farmer produces livestock or vegetables in bulk and takes this bulk to the market, surely the consumer must benefit at the till. A producer cannot store their products; they will not make a living. They have to get their products to the markets; to make the market buy the products (they) have to fit the consumers’ pockets. The supermarkets price the goods so high the consumer cannot afford to buy. What happens to the full racks and the production lines at the factory or farm? Who are these high prices benefiting: A few fat cats; definitely not us. By reading the local attitude and appetite I predict that shortly service delivery issues
will be placed down the ladder as the larder becomes too expensive to load. Let us be realistic: the majority of South Africans will have to look at a political party that has the food price issue on the placards and the call for an affordable menu on the polling platforms. The public is also fully aware of the due-by date policy that is being practised. This cannot sell foodstuffs. Rather than benefit the consumer (it) is given to farm animals and the next batch is priced to cover that loss. An empty pot brews a rather vicious citizen who (may) turn to crime, turn to civil disobedience or both. It is time government pays attention to the soon starving society and implement drastic price control policies. They should go so far as to invest in government shopping centres that will keep the private entrepreneurs in line with the cost of living. If your fo not believe me, go shopping and see for yourselves. You will come out with a sparsely filled trolley. KEITH BLAKE, Ottery
Heartfelt thanks for donation to shelter On behalf of Shelter of Hope in Retreat I would like to thank the Christ Church of Constantia for their donation towards our feeding scheme.
Thank you for your help. It is greatly appreciated. THERESA JONES, Retreat
Contest a is drag The Miss Universe Contest can be a drag, though it gives countries a chance to brag. Their beauties on show are pleasing to some, but a few of the girls really look dumb. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they say, and they showed this on the TV the other day. Why is it then more often than not, that a blue-eyed blonde gets the winning spot? Blonde hair and blue eyes is a very good match, though others, with their eyes, the men do catch. Beauty and brains we don’t often find; this combination, we know, is a special kind. The way a girl walks may catch the eye, but it’s mainly her shape that makes men sigh. A well-sculptured face that is made to lure, with matching skin that is clean and pure. This contest, some say, is a cattle run, but I’m sure the girls have lots of fun. Meeting other people from faraway lands, and dancing to the tune of rhythmic bands. Some prizes they win for being what they are, can certainly help them go quite far. Those that lose of the experience will tell, to the budding young girls who grow up so well. I’ve got nothing against it, it can be good. If the girls didn’t like it do you think they would keep on trying to get to the top of the next Miss Universe beauty crop? CECILE GIDDEY, Plumstead
Your SMSes . All abandoned houses cause problems. The owner should sell or lease the house. J. Crossland . Yes, the abandoned house does pose a problem. I live nearby. It should be renovated, leased, torn down or sold! Kate Cluer, Wynberg . Lease the abandoned house to Miracle Kidz Safe House – they need another one house. . I think it is a beautiful house; it should be upgraded, but two semis, looking the same, would also be nice. . I’d like to buy the house at 27 Orient Road. I live in a wendy house in Hout Bay with my husband and two kids.