MODIMOLLE IS GETTING THE BOOKS
Ms Heather Have-mann, Bela-Bela, writes:

I have just returned from town, having a really diverse sort of day. Dropped off some adverts with Maria at Die Pos, had a quick chat after the normal cheery greeting — hi, how are you? Off to the doctors, similar smile, knew who I was and escorted me through, although I am not a frequent visitor. My next call was a real hum-dinger.

I am having a spring clean. Yes I know it’s autumn — have loads of university books, and have decided to donate them to the library.

I phoned through last week and the gentleman requested me to bring them through to the library at the Bela-Bela home affairs office. Being quite heavy, I decided to ask someone there to help unload the boxes.

On opening the door, I saw a female resting her head on the counter and, thinking that she was a student studying, proceeded through to the rear to find a librarian — nobody there. I turn to see the woman has now lifted her head and after peering at me a few seconds, continues with her magazine crossword.

“Excuse me, are you the librarian?” I ask politely. “Umph” is the reply, still concentrating on the crossword. “I have some books for you.” “Umph” again, with a look that says: why are you bothering me, can’t you see I’m busy! I am a little peeved to say the least.

“Well, can you help me get the books?” I then receive a look which is blatantly hostile. My mouth drops open and I try to gather my thoughts and express them calm-ly. “You know, this is the problem, we are supposed to be getting on — you blacks and we whites — and you cannot even be polite,” I said as peaceably as possible.

“Well that’s your problem, not mine. We don’t have to cow-tow to you whites anymore, so why don’t you just leave?” This was almost spat at me. I admit then to losing my cool and saying: “I don’t swearword believe this, I am offering you books worth a small fortune and you can’t even say thank you?”

“Oh and now you swear at me, why don’t you just leave?” The conversation that followed was me trying to explain that it was her duty to be polite and greet visitors to the library, and maybe introduce herself as actually “working” there. I mentioned that this is the normal procedure in all public departments.

To cut a long story short, sorry Bela-Bela, but Modimolle is now getting your books as this lady (I do know her name) was rude enough to ensure I do not return to her place of play.

As an addendum — my next call was to the SASSA pensions department. There I was greeted by Thabo with a friendly smile a chat about the world cup, business sorted, on my way with a cheers and “enjoy the day” from both of us.

Take note, Ma’am, and maybe you will keep your job. We, like you, are here to stay — learn to live with and be polite to everyone.

KWEEK MUNISIPALITEIT DAGGA?
Me. Ella Smith, Bela-Bela, skryf:

Ná maande wat die graswildernis meters hoog gestaan het op die sypaadjie voor die munisipale watersuiweringswerke (en regoor die burgemeester se gastehuis in nr.12) in Blinkblaarstraat op Bela-Bela, was ons aangenaam verras toe die gras ’n paar weke gelede uiteindelik gesny is.

Toe ons Dinsdagoggend, 2 Maart, in die verbystap die sypaadjie van naderby bekyk, sien ons dat die munisipaliteit die gras netjies rondom sekere “boompies” op die sypaadjie gesny het. Nadere ondersoek het ge-toon dat dit blykbaar “boom” is, oftewel daggaplante! 

Ek is reguit na Die Pos toe, waar ek aangeraai is om ’n kenner te kry om die plant te identifiseer en die polisie dienooreenkomstig in te lig. ’n Kaptein by die polisie vir wie ek van die takkies gewys het, het bevestig dat dit wel dagga is. Die kaptein het beloof om onmiddellik iemand uit te stuur om die terrein te ondersoek, maar nadat ek ’n halfuur in Blinkblaarstraat vir hom gewag het, is ek maar vort.

Nou toe nou. Is ons munisipaliteit besig met buitemuurse geldinsameling om tekorte aan te vul?  Hierdie aktiwiteite het ook nie die inwoners van Blinkblaarstraat gepla nie, want ek is blykbaar die eerste wat alarm gemaak het. 

Daar is nog baie sypaadjies langs munisipale gronde op Bela-Bela. Miskien moet ons daar ook gaan kyk. Ek sluit ’n foto in as “bewysstuk”.