The above adjectives fully describe Aberdeen Town, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe. The IDP - Integrated Development Plan, according to an article printed in the Advertiser, did a Transect Walk around Aberdeen with the IDP coordinator Leonie Fouché and representatives of the various Wards, so we can presume that the local Aberdeen Councilors and Ward Committee Members were present on this walk. It was noted in the press, previous to this walk, that Aberdeen Councilor Vuysile Jacobs had not handed in the compulsory maps or knowledge of the local areas in due time. Councilor Jacob’s reasons were not acceptable by the Camdeboo Municipality nor the CBP Community Based Planning, and it was suggested that a reprimand be delivered to him in a firm manner. It is therefore understandable that the following brief and meaningless comments for Ward 1 (Aberdeen) were made by the IDP:
- The first comment was that the Fonteinbos still had a “few problems” but these were receiving attention!
- They noted the vandalism through out the town and the non-maintenance of sporting and recreational facilities!
- They noted non-maintenance of all the water furrows!
- They were interested in the progress of emerging farmers?
- They were also curious to know who was funding a poultry project.
- They noted the vandalism through out the town and the non-maintenance of sporting and recreational facilities!
- They noted non-maintenance of all the water furrows!
- They were interested in the progress of emerging farmers?
- They were also curious to know who was funding a poultry project.
This Transect Walk could have taken place under cover of darkness, for all that was achieved by the Aberdeen Ward Committee Members and the Aberdeen Councilors.
The above article is frightening to people who live their daily lives in an environment of impending disaster from the Aberdeen dumpsite where rubbish is already taking over the surrounding areas and threatening to surround the town.
Then, there is juvenile crime, due to the lack of ‘after-school facilities’ or recreational activity areas, such as tennis courts, a swimming pool and a reasonable park and play area.
Water restrictions too are due to non-maintenance of the local dam which is half full of silt, and perhaps the non-servicing of pumps. The natural spring water has now ceased to flow for the last four months, yet another 400 RDP houses are about to be built. Who is going to supply these new occupants with water?.
Sadly, Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe all suffer from the same lack of knowledge and expertise as shown by the locally elected officials, who obviously do not have the ability to run the town or perhaps they are just disinterested and are in office for the salary and possibly the perks?
Traffic calming measures were promised on the entrance road into Aberdeen leading from the slip off road from Graaff-Reinet some two years ago, where speeds of up to 120 kilometres in a 60 kilometer zone have been reported. Please, whoever is responsible for installing these calming measures and has been unable to do so, stand up and explain this to the young Aberdeen children who walk these roads to and from school daily.
Nothing is being managed in this town. There is no pride or respect for this town as none is given to it. Workers who are employed to clean the roads of Aberdeen can be seen daily, standing around in groups chatting and leaning on their implements, or as has been reported, filling ditches with water to soak their feet. Perhaps they should be sent out with masks and gloves, to clean up the disgusting Aberdeen dumpsite instead?
What exactly do the residents of Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe have to do in order to save this situation and have a clean well-run town? Someone HELP!!
Article By: Joan Tinker
