Ina Bezuidenhout from Great Brak River writes:
Although a memorial park seems to be a fitting gesture, it poses its own challenges: nobody may take ownership for maintenance of the premises, similar to cemeteries, becoming a burden on the taxpayers of George.
And in the long run, the victims will not be honoured with the dignity they deserve.
Taking into account the fact that the majority of workers were general workers, my vote goes toward creating a multi-functional labour centre - involving a job seeker centre similar to what Great Brak River is doing with its Skarrelhuis project, a training centre and also a centre for processing Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida) claims - these aspects speak to the core of the collapse.
The memorial aspect can be handled by doing a plaque or mural commemorating the names of the deceased and the injured, while the premises serves an economic purpose, while addressing the injustice to the victims who accepted jobs without proper protection and contracts.
If local artists are employed to design the mural, it provides further job opportunities.
Taking into account the ineptitude to settle claims and support to the victims, we cannot look towards government to address such a venture; I suggest all the involved parties such as the owners of the premises, the developer, George Municipality and the Department of Labour can be asked to make a financial contribution - not as an acknowledgement of guilt, but as a humane gesture to the victims - finally doing some justice to not only the victims, but also a promise of improving conditions for future employees.
For information purposes: The Great Brak River Skarrelhuis Project is a concept in which job seekers and prospective employers are introduced to each other.
The majority of the job opportunities provided are casual jobs, for short terms, but there are cases where these introductions led to permanent employment.
The number of jobs created over the four years the centre was operated is impressive.
Just the musings of a dreamer ...
