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| In the queue at Home Affairs |
We spent a whole day at Home Affairs yesterday. It was something that had to be done, but we were not looking forward to doing it. It was a mountain to climb, and it was even worse than imagined! (We are so tired of things that are not working!)
The worst!
- There was a majestic queue that snaked already before eight when it was supposed to be opened at eight.
- They only opened at half past eight.
- We were told that they are off-line at about nine-ish. Most of us had taken day's leave and could not afford to take another day. So we decided to stay put. (Some left)
- We were standing in the sun, outside the premises, until 12 pm. Most of us (especially the white ones, especially) were burnt badly.
- We should have taken chairs, hats, umbrellas, water and food. (Most of us did not)
- The poor moms with babies and children. Some were allowed to go forward, but not all! It was crazy hot in the sun!
The unbelievable!
- They do not tell the people in which queues they should be. Even before entering, you should be told that there is collections queue, and a queue for the id's, passports etc. The poor new mom and dad who waited for hours with the rest of us... Just, No!!!
- The websites are not updated, and we rocked up with outdated forms.
- The websites are not updated with the latest information. WHY? It would help so much to know what to have and bring.
- We only get the forms inside, while the forms could have been dished out in the queues, and we could have started filling it in while waiting for hours.
- Put up signs to let people know how it works. Where should we stand?
The best of people!
- People tell their life stories in the queue. We heard of the couple who were robbed and had to get new id's and driver's licences. She could not get a temporary driver's licence before she got an id. She had to have a driver's licence to hire a car to get back to work... When we last saw her, she was not able to secure the driver's licence.
- People shared food, water, umbrellas and medication in the queue. There was a guy with an injured foot who said he stabbed himself while drunk. (What he said??) Everybody was concerned about the swollen foot.
- People kept people's places in the queue.
- There are some good people working at Home Affairs. There was a guy who kept on working through lunch-time to help people. The rest just disappeared for more than a hour.
- Some gave up their much coveted chairs inside in the queues for older people.
But it is done! We can tick this off!
LOOKING FORWARD TO...
A new year with new adventures!
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| Family at Home Affairs |
TIP:
- Go at 14:30 in the afternoons. Things have quieten down quite a bit, and they have to get you through the queues. (Hopefully!)
