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2008.09.19
Alida Jones
PRO SAIDI Western
Cape
Dear Alida
Re: SAIDI AGM HELD ON 17 SEPTEMBER 2008
Alida I would like to thank you personally, you
and Stephen, (as
well as the ladies who helped to set up the tables for the
AGM), for everything you both did to make the SAIDI Western
Cape AGM such a special occasion!
You have accepted the position to be PRO for SAIDI with such
enthusiasm, and dedication. People with your vision, based
on personal tragedy, make an organization such as SAIDI
revive, take on new life, and
GROW!
Without people who are committed to reach the goal of
gathering all driving instructors under our “umbrella”,
SAIDI has always struggled to survive. Thank God for people
like you who work yourselves to death to try to regulate the
driving school industry!
I appreciated the invitation very much as I am sure Pieter
Maree and Eno Mhlongo did too!
The accommodation you offered us was comfortable, clean and
affordable. The view from my balcony, over the sea, where we
watched a whale’s tail flipping out of the water was
something else! The seals swimming near the beach may be
commonplace to those of you who live there, but for us, from Gauteng, it is a special
treat!
The care and trouble you took to make the AGM such a special
evening, from the programme; the layout of the tables with
the red, white and blue colour scheme to match our logo; the
caterers waiting on us at the tables; the candles; the
delicious menu; the guest speakers; everything was
outstanding!
How encouraging to receive a copy of Jeremy Cronin (MP
Chairperson, Transport Portfolio Committee)’s letter to
SAIDI and to know that he writes “across the party political
spectrum in our committee, there is a strong appreciation of
the role that a properly regulated and accredited driving
instructor sector could and should play”.
We have waited years for that!
Thank you SO much for sharing that with us all. I will pass
it on to the
Gauteng
instructors.
I agree wholeheartedly with that statement, yet the sad fact
is that without the Government compelling every driving
instructor to belong to one of the accredited umbrella
bodies, such as SAIDI, the average driving instructor fails
to appreciate the value of belonging to an organization such
as ours.
This was, once again, so vividly proven when a proposal was
put forward at the meeting asking instructors if they would
contribute R50.00 membership fees to SAIDI monthly.
The negative reaction from several members sitting enjoying
the evening’s festivities was typical of what we have
struggled with for years!
The main objection came from a young man in the far right
corner from the stage. He seemed to be young, good looking,
physically strong, and a qualified driving instructor.
Forgive me for asking, but what makes him feel entitled to
expect anyone except
himself, to work voluntarily for SAIDI? Does he realize
that we do it at very great personal cost? Does he realize
that we do not get paid one cent for all the hard work we
put in? How much more effectively we could work if we had
the full support of our members.
Please would you send this letter to the Special
investigations unit too? I would like to thank them very
sincerely for what they are doing every day to help us to
stamp out corruption both in the
Western Cape, as well as in
Pretoria.
I appreciated meeting Chris Snyman (RSM) too, having often
heard you mentioning his name, and hope to continue working
with him and the RSM in Gauteng as well.
Should we not have cast our votes for a new National
committee? It is time for changes to be made. I hoped to
elect a new effective National committee.
Incidentally, our logo
has been
re-instated and is now valid for ten years starting from 2
September 2008. I am relieved about that! Attached please
find a copy for your records.
Also, I am attaching my son-in-law’s accountancy programme
for all your members as promised to Stephen when I last saw
him.
I look forward to working with you in the future. We know
where we are going, and what we are going to achieve for the
good of every South African! As the Bible says, “Be not
weary in well-doing”. Once again, thank you so much for a
memorable occasion.
May it be the first of many as we see our dream of
regulating the driving school industry, and setting
standards become a reality!
With warmest regards,
Pat Allen
Chairperson: SAIDI Pretoria / Tshwane
Secretary: Gauteng
Article reference:
SAIDI0000029
Published on www.saidi.co.za
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