Last Thursday saw the handing over of the new post office in Aberdeen. The contractors, Sirlah Construction, local subcontractors Jacob de Jager and Marius Martinus , local councillors, post office staff and many officials from SAPO Properties were present, and all enthused about the wonderful new premises.
The contractors, who are based in Port Elizabeth, were commended for using local labour and subcontractors, and they in turn praised the standard of workmanship and the cooperation received from the municipality. The whole project was completed in just eight weeks.
Karabo Rapoo , the MD, of SAPO Properties had spent the previous few days visiting sites around the Eastern Cape, particularly around Mtata, and said that she had grown increasingly despondent with the standards of the facilities she saw. She was thrilled that her trip was ending with a positve story, where everyone was satisfied. Rapoo was pleased that a new Post Office was being launched at a branch which had previously won Branch of the Year, twice, as those employees deserve to be working in better surroundings. She also commented that it was also good that the SAPO was giving service delivery to smaller, rural towns and not just in the big city centres.
The contractors also made special mention of the wonderful job performed by Portia de Jager, the community liaison officer. Portia was responsible for ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations, liaising between the contractors, subcontractors and employees. It was felt that she would be an asset to any organisation – high praise indeed!
Leone Raulstone, postmistress of Aberdeen, expressed her thanks to all those involved in the new premises – it seems that she and assistant Helena Swanepoel are particularly looking forward to having an airconditioned building!
Contractors and post office staff relax after a successful hand-over of the new Aberdeen post office
(fltr) Idris Sirkhotte, Leone Raulstone, Shane Alher, Helena Swanepoel
