Something to be positive about – CoJ

This weekend really gave me something positive to talk about today.  Despite certain decisions that the CIty of Jo’burghas made in recent months (i.e. cancelling the acceptance of credit cards – *sigh*), a visit to Wilgeheuwel on the West Rand highlighted the fact that the city’s management is actually doing something for the community.

In between Nic Deidricks and Hendrik Potgieter roads, my wife and I came across this clean, neat and very new park, which had been constructed in amongst the masses of townhouse complexes that litter that area. 

Parents were bringing their kids to play on the new playground equipment, other people were walking their dogs along the stream and some others were just sitting on the grass – taking in the warm(ish) Winter sun. 

It’s encouraging to see that the local government is actually making a difference in certain places.  Yes, the City of Jo’brug messes up a lot and I can guarantee that thousands of people would disagree with me, but my recent experiences in dealing with city management has been nothing but positive.

Seeing the park – and taking our dogs for a walk there yesterday – reminded me of a great experience I had with Jo’burg Water.  

We were having problems with a blocked sewer drain in our front yard and I had to make a call to Jo’brug Connectto report the problem.  It wasn’t enough that our problem was resolved the very same day that I made the call, but the technician from Jo’burg Water actually came out at 8PM to sort the problem out.

When my wife and I moved into our new house in November last year, I also found myself calling Jo’burg Connect to get info on how to register as a rates payer and open up a lights and water account with the city. 

The guy who took my call not only gave me all the info that I needed, he also advised me when the quietest times were to visit the municipal offices and the fact that the offices are open on certain Saturdays!

It’s very encouraging in this age of Afro-pessimism and dwindling confidence and we can only hope that the City of Jo’burg keeps up the good work and that other municipalities follow suit.

City of Joburg: Back to the stone ages

The City of Joburg has been punted as a “world class” city for years now but the latest news to come out of the government department has sent it straight back to the stone ages.

Joburg residents would have noticed the footnote on their monthly water and lights bills that: “The City of Joburg will de-register as a credit card merchant from 1 March 2008 and credit cards will no longer be accepted at municipal offices.”

Pity, because the ability to use one’s credit/debit card at municipal offices was such a convenience factor, not to mention a boost for security as people no longer needed to carry cash around or write cheques and pay the horrendous bank fees associated with cheques.

I called the Joburg Connect number on the City’s website and asked why the city had decided to drop this convenince from its offices.

A very uninterested contact centre agent on the other end of the phone said that the City has not given reasons for this step backward in its evolution and it was “probably something to do with fraud”.

A likely story. Clearly the people who manage the city need to take a better look at their priorities, especially considering the fact that less and less people are carrying cash around with them and cash-related crime (i.e. heists, armed robberies and hijackings) is on the heavy increase.

With the amounts of money that pass through minicpal offices on a dialy basis, it’s a matter of time before they become soft targets for criminals – especially given the number of people (particulalry the elderly) who go and queue at these offices.

The City does give people lots of other ways to pay their rates and utillites without having to go to municipal offices, but the fact of the matter is that some transactions cannot be done at a Pick n’ Pay or Shoprite Checkers tillpoint or (like paying the deposit on your water and lights).

It’s a bad move and definate step backward for the municipality of Joburg. We can only hope that they come to their senses.