Walki ng into the High Street post office, customers are required to form long queues and wait for extended periods before being served by one of the numerous staff members.
Walki ng into the High Street post office, customers are required to form long queues and wait for extended periods before being served by one of the numerous staff members.
This is in sharp contrast to the desolate Siphiwo Mazwayi post office in Joza, which is lucky to see 20 customers per day.
Approximately 80 000 residents live in Grahamstown’s greater township area, of which only 100 make use of the Joza post office every week.
Despite the post office offering the exact same services (except license renewals) the number of customers seems extremely low for the vast number of people living in the area.
According to the Joza Acting Branch manager Nomaxabiso Ngece, most people go to town because they believe the local post office does not provide the same services.
Only two employees are required to manage the business, dealing mostly with residents who come to play the lotto and collect their pensions.
“I enjoy my job very much, but I would prefer if it were busier,” said Ngece. In an attempt to raise awareness, Ngece visited some schools and asked the principals to support the local post office by purchasing stationery from them.
“I also held talks, giving out information on saving and investment opportunities,” she said. Although minimal, this has had an impact as more people have started to open accounts.
According to Xolani Yoko from Extension 9, it is convenient to go to the main post office on his way to work.
“I live down the road from the post office in Joza,” said Joza resident Nosipho Ngcelwane,
“but the last time I used it was two years ago.”
For some reason parcels are mostly sent to the main post office and this is perhaps a reason why people prefer to use it, Ngecelwane explained.
For the most part residents agree that the post office in town is more accessible and conveniently located.
“I run all my errands when I come to town,” said Ngecelwane who visits the post office when in town. “I prefer it quiet,” said local Menfovel Mpunga who lives across the road from the Joza post office. “I don’t have transport and this post office is very close to my home,” said the regular lotto player
