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Saturday 24 July 2021
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Weekend Post
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On Wednesday, 14 July, Nelson Mandela Bay came together – taxi owners and drivers alongside members of the public – and took a stand against threats to loot businesses in the metro. The looting – which has caused destruction and devastation in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng – was not tolerated in our metro. Here is what Bay residents had to say about it:
ANGELIQUE SCHNEIDER (BAYFM Station Manager): A massive thank you to each and every one who played a role, no matter how seemingly small, in keeping our metro safe. Great initiative was taken to ensure the prevention of chaos and disorder and the safety of our communities at large. The unity and single mindedness has been very encouraging!
CINDY VON WIELLIGH (Procurement Specialist): In my profession we rely on supplies to be able to firstly , produce their goods, and secondly deliver those goods to us at the right place and at the right time. Avoiding unrest in PE last week was pivotal in keeping the supply chains running. Thank you to everyone who was involved in keeping the economy and the people of PE safe last week. I salute you.
RENE BAATJIES (Mother): I was so relieved when I heard that a group of people were taking a stand to protect our communities. Without our local shops and stores, I can’t feed my children. It is time to stand together, as Gqeberhans, to ensure that our metro is a safe place to raise our children.
SIYAMTHANDA NXWASHULA (Motherwell resident): I am so grateful for the taxi industry together with the community of Gqeberha for preventing criminal activity and looting in our city. Indeed if we work as a unit we will achieve great things for our city.
LAULA BUSO (Bank Analyst): When two or more people come together for a common purpose, alot can be achieved 'As a Joburg resident born from PE I would like to thank the community for coming together and protect the malls and other establishments from being vandalized.
NICHOLAS NAMA (Father, leader): Its great to see that the people of Nelson Mandela Metro stood resolutely in “saying no to looting”. Our great city is an embodiment of the phrase “together we can do more” especially when we stay united. This display of ubuntu reflects our interconnectedness as a community “umntu ngumntu ngabantu”, rooted in the simple understanding that when you loot you compromise not only yourself but others too.
LINDSAY STEELE (Baywest Mall): The approach taken by all role players over the past week and a half is a testament to the ‘spirit of togetherness’. It is through their continued support that our mall remains operational and we are able to provide a safe space for staff, tenants and shoppers and the community at large. We cannot thank them enough for the sacrifices made. It’s is a proud moment for the Friendly City.
HEZRON ARMOED (Musician): Thank you to every single person who stood against the destruction of properties and businesses within our beautiful city. Businesses, both big and small, are the back bone of the economy and is essential for growth and development within our metro. We must continue to stand tall against any form of unrighteousness that chooses to plague our city. It may seem impossible from the onset but nothing can stand in the way of a city united.
WANDISA FIHLA (Owner of LC Carwash Zinyoka): Recently I had the pleasure of witnessing the citizen of Gqeberha working side by side with the taxi association drivers — one of the greatest moments in history of Gqeberha. I felt proud and honored to be a part of such great bunch of caring and loving people. As a young man, I am proud and thankful for your heroic actions. I thank you — all my people....loh ngu enkosi engazenzisiyo... Yilala enenxaxebah ekukhulisen usana ndiyangqina.
BRENTON GOLDMAN (Pastor): As a resident in Gqeberha given the opportunity to say Thank You, I had to go for it. For the first time in a very long time I felt the proud to be a South African. It was bitter sweet, as one part of our nation was mourning loss and this time not due to the pandemic, this part of our country was building the walls to protect it. However the community in the Eastern Cape stood together, and said, No to Looting! It was great seeing my Neighbours, who has a security company, CJ Kotze , rally together and start a group on Telegram that grew from 60 to well over 3000 members, all with one purpose to keep our city safe. Donovan Van Rensburg and CJ messaged daily and almost every hour to report on the status of our cities safety! This is one of the many stories I’m sure of people who sacrifices their time to make sure we were all safe. Jobs were secured, malls secured, shop owners were protected and most of all, we protected our democratic right to provide for our families in freedom. I am a Pastor in this amazing city, and I must say. Our prayers are being answered. There is Hope. We are our Cities Hope!
LANCE MALGAS (Entrepreneur): The riots would have had a negative effect on my family. It would definitely have made it difficult to provide every day basics for my family. I read that those affected in other parts of South Africa are not able to find nappies and milk for their babies – and that would have been a huge concern for me. Thankful that we don’t have to que for food! A big thank you to everyone involved in keeping our metro safe!
LOYISO DOTWANA (President of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber): We are deeply saddened by the events, which recently unfolded in Kwazulu Natal and Gauteng, highlighting that our country still has a lot of challenges which need to be addressed in an urgent and decisive manner. We are exceptionally grateful that here in Nelson Mandela Bay, local stakeholders took a stand to not allow any of these criminal activities to take place here, with the priority focus on protecting our local economy and much needed jobs. We extend our special appreciation to The Metro, The Province, Taxi Associations, business groupings, religious leaders, SAPS, SANDF and all other stakeholders who stood together with us with a common purpose of keeping our Metro safe. This collaboration which took place between a diverse group of stakeholders demonstrates just what is possible when people focus on what it is in the best interests of all. We hope this will signal a new way forward and I am hoping will set the tone for us going forward as all the stakeholders work together to address the current unsustainable high unemployment levels. As we look to the future, let’s make a concerted effort to pull together to proudly showcase Nelson Mandela Bay to potential investors as a stable environment, which offers many benefits such as two ports, the Coega IDZ, an airport, roads and rail infrastructure and access to a reliable workforce.
A VERY BIG
SUNRIDGE VILLAGE THANKS ALL WHO HAVE PLAYED A PART IN ENSURING PEACE AND STABILITY IN OUR AREA.
AutoX would like to pay tribute to everyone who has stepped up, to protect our communities. A sincere thank you!
Thank You
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all role players - SAPS, SANDF, Omega Security, ADT, Alert Community Watch, VIPER & SANTACO - for their unwavering support over the past week and a half. Their support enabled a safe space for staff, tenants, shoppers and the community at large. We continue to work closely with all role players and are proud of the exceptional work they have done.
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