Welcome to Mahalapye bus rank

DIRANG LEKUNTWANE
Correspondent | Friday January 21, 2011 00:00

The three parking lots meant for taxis, combis and buses cannot cope with the flood of taxis, combis and the buses which converge on this limited space, causing much congestion and unsanitary conditions. The uncontrolled flow of the north and south-bound transport vehicles, street vendors, the visitors, the so-called mobile tuck shops, and the ever roaming children are among the factors that have combined to make the bus rank an eye-sore.

The lack of shelters for commuters and visitors alike is a serious cause for concern to everyone. Rainy seasons complicate the daily lives of those who frequent this bus rank. The culverts meant to direct water from the west to the eastern side to join the Mahalapye river that goes through the small densely populated area, cannot cope.

The rain water often overflows the culverts, thereby flooding the bus rank and creating a host of problems for commuters and traders alike. During the rainy seasons this bus rank will turn from the normal dusty and windswept area to a swift flowing river, leaving street vendors and commuters  with no option but to seek shelter in nearby Ja Monate Restaurant, Morojwa Liquor Restaurant and Botoka Restaurant.

Since its inception a couple of years ago neither the council nor the individual companies have ever found it necessary to provide essential services to the  public. To be precise, the council itself has never been moved by this sorry state of affairs. Worse still are the ever re-constructed potholes that are fixed almost monthly by either the council or government Roads Department workers. Some residents have suggested that the road from Engen filling station to Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) needs to be completely redone right from its foundations rather than being patched. 

Last year the council claimed that it had come up with an initiative to refurbish the bus rank by prohibiting the street vendors from using permanent structures as tuck-shops. The council claimed the iron-sheet trunks were an eye-sore. However, the council suggested the use of temporary umbrellas.  But due to lack of strict by-law enforcement - to the west - up to now still stand the not-so-eye-catching shacks of the street barbers.  Made out of the shades, card boxes and plastic structures, these shacks which cause environmental degradation, are visible from the bus rank.

The uncooperative barbers were never deterred by the council's numerous threats to eject them during the clean-up campaign.  These barbers, who charge P5 for shaving of the beard and from P10 to P25 for head shaving, said that poverty and unemployment has forced them to engage in their business, so if they have to move the council must offer  them jobs. These barbers, who can be quite intimidating and even fight for customers, said the profits they make come at a cost.

To the north stands the Botoka Restaurant and Take-Away where visitors and locals alike go to purchase their so-called traditional food. And to the right stands Ja Monate Restaurant, where often visitors use its shade as a resting place as they wait for buses or meet friends. To the west is the Morojwa Liquor Restaurant which 'boozers' frequent.

To the east stands the recently refurbished complex that is mostly rented out to Chinese traders. Next to it on its left, facing west, are the now mushrooming shacks used for street vending plus the empty parking lot that is often used for both local and international entertain events. With Bears Furniture shop, Knock-Out Cash and Carry, Pep Stores and Jet giving their backs to the densely populated small bus rank, Mahalapye One-Stop station remains a menace to both locals and visitors alike.