Good old Newcastle, a town which can proudly say, around half of all conversations begin with: ” I never told you, but did you hear” or “Don’t tell anyone but…”. We are a group of great people, who deal with and sometimes create issues in our town. I am not speaking about the obvious, like leaking water pipes, overflowing sewers or huge potholes, I am speaking about other issues outside of the norm.
The Newcastillian asked residents what the biggest issues are which they face, besides those of service delivery. This is what they have to say.
Calvin Pillay
“It has to be gossip. There are a lot of jealous people in Newcastle. Because it is a small town when you do something, people start talking and the story changes along the way.”
Slindo Ntsuntsha
“For me, it has to be driving. I travel every day from Madadeni to Newcastle and the roads are always busy and hectic. I don’t know if it is the taxi drivers or the general public, but the driving in town is madness.
Jeffrey Tinkler
“I would have to say the college students who litter and leave their beer bottles everywhere. People also need to learn how to use roundabouts in town. A roundabout is not a stop street.”
Bevan Clemo
“The homeless people living under the bridge on Hardwick Street. You cannot cycle or walk past there anymore, because they attack you, knock you out and take your things. It has actually happened to a friend of mine.”
Sabelo Mlambo
“I feel Newcastle residents enjoy partying and drinking too much. Especially younger people. Recently, I went past Trim Park and saw a group of Grade 12 learners drinking. Then there are the bottle stores, people line up for them at the end of the month.”
From drinking, gossiping, driving to roundabouts and homeless people, it seems Newcastle has its fair share of issues. What other issues do you face in Newcastle? Share your views with us in the comment section below.
