Over the years Estuary Care has assisted members of the public with the purchase and placement of benches in memory of loved people (or pets!) or simply as a replacement for an existing municipal bench which has become worn or broken down.
The procedure to be followed has changed recently and is now as follows:
- Permission must be obtained from the Director of Community Protection Services Ndlambe Municipality. A letter must be written by the applicant stating the request for the bench and the requested siting on Municipal land. A sample letter is attached. If the applicant happens to be in the area two copies of the letter may be delivered to the municipal offices in Kenton. One copy is to be stamped as having been received and retained by the applicant whist the second copy is handed in for delivery. If the applicant is not in the vicinity, the letter must be emailed. (it is best to ask for proof of delivery). An e mail response will be received asking the applicant to arrange for a site meeting with an official from the department. (In the past this was handled by Estuary Care and if the applicant is not resident in the area it is suggested that an Estuary Care representative be briefed to act as stand in.)
- Once permission for the siting of the bench has been obtained, Estuary Care will order the bench and the plaque.
- Benches are made from recycled plastic and come in brown or dark green and are delivered from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). This normally takes about two months and the plaque may take four months. The plaque is made of heavy grade aluminium and is engraved to the applicant’s specification. Estuary Care concretes the bench into place. (It comes with stainless steel fastenings to withstand the corrosive sea air and extended legs which are securely concreted into place). Estuary Care also undertakes the fitting of the plaques.
- The bench (for a normal three-seater model) costs around R4500 (including delivery and placement) and the plaque around R400 including fitting.
- A sample letter is shown below. This letter is based around a bench for placement at Middle Beach but can be modified to placement wherever is desired.
Address of the Applicant
The Director
Ndlambe Community Affairs
Attention M/s N Booysen-Willy
A Request for permission to erect a Bench on Municipal Property
Dear Madam
I request permission to erect a bench at Middle Beach Kenton on Sea, in memory of ……..…………..
I would like the bench to be placed alongside the other benches which face the sea at the Eastern end of the parking lot.
The bench will be purchased from a well-established manufacturer in Gqeberha and is made of recycled plastic material and fitted with stainless steel fastenings. It will be a standard three-seater. It will come equipped with extended legs to facilitate concreting into the ground.
Please direct your response to me via e mail.
Kind regards
Your name and e-mail address
The Director’s contact details are:
Ms Nombulelo Booysen-Willy
Director: Community Protection Services
Office Tel: 046 604 5528
Cell Number: 083 991 0236
E-mail: nbooysen@ndlambe.gov.za
Thank you to Nick Albrightson for the photos
