What's wrong with the City of Cape Town? Are they here to help us, or just make life miserable?
Take the story of South African hero, John Nicholson, and his backyard library.
The good Samaritan from Lavender Hill had opened his own community centre, Siyafunda, where children from the area can learn to read, study and do their homework.
Every day, dozens of kids from the gang-ravaged area come to his home, where they are also fed, and can play games like dominoes and kerrem in a safe environment.
It’s a wonderful project, and after the Daily Voice first told John’s story, news spread far and wide.
Capetonians, the MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport - and even students from Amsterdam - showed up on his doorstep to donate books and equipment.
Before long, the makeshift library was bursting with books.
It’s the kind of initiative everyone wants to be part of.
And to think it all started two years ago when John and his family decided to convert his garage into a children’s centre.
Unfortunately, instead of assisting John with repairs and a much-needed upgrade to the library, the City has forced him to shut it down.
Why? Because he did not have the appropriate approval and building plans when he first built the garage.
BAD NEWS: John Nicholson has been told to remove the structure. Photo: Patrick Louw
Now John says he was told to remove the structure or face a fine of R30 000 for the illegal structure.
Can you believe it?
Is this how the “pro-poor” City treats good people trying to uplift our poor children?
The same laaities who are now roaming the streets instead of paying Uncle John and Aunty Gail a visit during the school holidays.
Yoh, you don’t know how Munier is moering his keyboard as he’s writing this...
But OK, before we go to town on the City of Cape Town, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt.
Let’s ignore councillor Eddie Andrews’ response in which he lectures about National Building Regulations and Buildings Standards Act and the Municipal Planning By-law.
And let’s assume council officials were not aware of who John Nicholson is, and that he is an e.tv South African Hero and winner of the ATKV Woordveertjie award for promoting reading in Afrikaans and other languages.
Let’s give the City an opportunity to redeem themselves - by going back to Mr Nicholson, apologising profusely to his family and the children, scrapping his fine, and offering to help him upgrade his library - for free!
Because that’s what any pro-poor municipality committed to the upliftment of its communities would do.