In that optics always frame impressions, the lament that there is no visible improvement of conditions in eThekwini Municipality (The Mercury, September 10) could be remedied in a very simple and basic way.
The most glaring negative impression of eThekwini is the non-existence in most areas of street sweeping, clearance of stormwater drains, verge maintenance and the clutter of garbage that has become a standard part of its landscape.
The failure of the cleansing unit and Parks and Gardens to be proactive in servicing those issues constitutes the core of the negative impression. Exacerbating that is the culture of littering and dumping that has taken root because of the absence of a regimen on the part of the Municipality to perform basic cleaning and maintenance duties.
Besides the elephant in the room in the form of cadre employment, the irony of the situation is that given the bloated staffing state of eThekwini – 28,000 – there should be no shortage of labour to tackle the visible negatives. As such, there actually is no excuse for Durban’s negative optics.
Having visited Australia several times, upon each return to Durban the contrast in its visible deterioration is emphasised. Impressions of urban life in Australia are marked by evidence of diligent maintenance of drains, gutters and pavements. Not a blade of grass is out of place on the mown verges and open spaces. There is no litter yet there are very few litter bins.
Tidiness takes root when it is visibly and consistently practiced. From that a culture of pride and respect for public places is nurtured.
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