Giving Makana's citizens a sporting chance

Just over a month ago a disgruntled woman walked into the Grocott’s Mail office wanting to speak to a journalist.
Rose Norkie, the manager of Sun City Nursery School, had been looking forward to their annual sports day, but when the school arrived at Lavender Valley Sports field, it was covered in litter and there were no toilets.
Norkie had booked and paid for the field through the caretaker of the Extension Six Indoor Sports Centre, Lindile Habana.
When she spoke to him, she specifically requested that lines should be painted on to the sports track and that portable toilets should be provided, as there are no ablution facilities at the venue.
“I feel that when you pay for the field, you must see to it that the place is clean and that there are toilets. I don’t think it should be necessary to ask for toilets. They should know that. When people gather, they need toilets!” said an exasperated Norkie.
Before the children could use the field, Norkie and a few others had to clean up the rubbish. They filled more than five black bin bags.
It has taken more than a month investigate this story. For three weeks I tried to get hold of Habana to hear his side of the story.
But, the phone line to the caretaker’s office has been faulty for three months.
Next step, the municipal spokesperson, Thandy Matebese.
Matebese was not sure why the field was dirty and toilets weren’t provided, and wanted to know why Norkie had not reported the issue to Kevin Bates of the Parks Department.
I was shocked when he asked why Norkie was so lazy that she could report the issue to Grocott’s and not walk across the road to lay a complaint at the municipality. How can a municipal official be so condescending and rude?
I wouldn’t want to report anything if that was the attitude that I knew I’d be faced with.
When I asked Norkie why she came to Grocott’s instead of the municipality, she said, “I haven’t got much faith in the municipality. I don’t think they take much notice of one.”

Published in Grocott's Mail on 13 May 2011.