After more than decade had passed since trying to secure the rail corridor between Knysna and George for non-motorised mobility I was alarmed to hear that Transnet had received a proposal for the repair of the railway to bring the steam train back into service. In the most obvious places to seek support for the NMT alternative there was an inexplicable resistance to proposing NMT. This was in sharp contrast to the average person seeking beautiful places to walk, jog or cycle so I began working on a petition to record their support.
Change*org in California offered such a service, with advice on how to proceed, undertaking to help in promoting my petition and recording the responses; and doing so initially at their own risk. I signed up in early February and after a week had about five supporters. Change*org encouraged me to improve the wording and content, and so the number of supporters grew slowly. At any time I could read the comments, ask for a print-out of names or a list comments. Nobody has raised objections.
The statistics collected so far indicate that this petition has 6,526 supporters, it has been viewed 86,615 times, 1,050 people have shared it and it has 69 promoters. Those 69 promoters are important because they have donated almost R10,000 towards the service that Change*org provides in keeping records, sending out updates and sending to people they think might be interested.
Earlier in the year Transnet indicated that it might award the twenty-five year concession ‘towards the end of June 2024’. That means now! The seventh National Assembly has work to do before the Speaker refers matters to any of committees. A nail-biting situation as the Transnet decision will have a profound effect on the inhabitants and visitors to the Garden Route over the next 25 years!
Will everyone be happy to see the Choo-Tjoe puffing past every day or so, or be even happier to visit it in a Steam Park while they all have access to that magnificent stretch of car-free riding, jogging or walking on any day, and all day?
John Stegmann