Ward News

The Electoral Commission has welcomed the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the country’s return to Alert Level 1 which allows the resumption of some political activities.“The relaxation of the restrictions paves the way for the holding of by-elections for municipal ward vacancies which arose since the last by-election in early December,” the IEC said in a statement on Monday. The President made the announcement of the move to Level 1 in an address to the nation on Sunday. Under the … [Read more...] about Electoral Commission welcomes resumption of political activities

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has appointed a Ministerial Committee to advice on the amendment of the Electoral Act.This comes after a July 2020 Constitutional Court ruling found that the Electoral Act (Act 73 of 1998) was unconstitutional. This was in regards to that the Act requires that adult citizens may be elected to the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures only through their political parties. Addressing reporters on Wednesday, the Minister said a programme was in … [Read more...] about Committee appointed to advise on Electoral Act amendment to Independents

If we chart the ‘progress’ of society over the past 200 years or so there are three main ideals or aims that stick out for each successive political oppressor/liberator: EEE – English Economic Empowerment AEE – Afrikaans Economic Empowerment BEE – Black Economic Empowerment One would think that 200 years of learning and history would have taught us one thing; “Confining the concept of ‘economic empowerment’ to only one favoured group in the country eventually leads to a revolt and pendulum … [Read more...] about The Time for SAEE is NOW

Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu has challenged the Directors-General in the public service to take up their positions as part of leadership and not allow themselves to be “wrongly flexible”.Minister Mchunu was addressing the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD), at the Special FOSAD meeting on Monday attended by Directors-General of both national and provincial departments. The purpose of the Minister’s address was to remind Directors-General of the vital role … [Read more...] about DG’s play key role in public service

Tim posed this question on Facebook recently; “I believe that it is correct that SA have adopted the approach that its elected representatives (and its civil service) should be resemble the demographic of the general population. The truth though is that right now the (private sector part of ) the demographic are loosing their jobs and livelihoods in great numbers. It can therefore only be fair that elected officials and those drawing a salary from government take a similar knock. Since half of … [Read more...] about In Answer to Tim Hewitt-Coleman

There are some departments within our Municipal Administration blatantly stealing from the Professionals they are tasked to guide and serve.I get many reports from professionals who present work to Municipal Officials for them to check and sign off on only for the professionals to be told that their work or requests will ONLY be signed off and actioned provided that the professionals use the services of a specific outside contractor who happens to NOT be properly qualified and charges well above … [Read more...] about Foxes Stealing out of the Mouths of Professionals

My old Granny used to say a similar thing; “The blade of grass that sticks up gets chopped!” My late mate, Hilton Shorrock – the Yoga Warrior, used to say that he was not afraid of approaching death as he was a drop of water in the ocean – an intrinsic part of the natural world and going with the flow. Our political landscape is littered with Entitled, NON empathetic ‘leaders’ who do not practise Servant Leadership by actually listening and finding (or trying to find) solutions to problems for … [Read more...] about A Sober Lesson for Humankind (AND Politicians)

When we make mistakes in life or business we are held accountable. Then WHY does it seem that governments (and politicians) all over the world get away with mistake after mistake with no consequences? Could it be because they have lost the ability to listen to their constituents? It is blatantly obvious that most politicians have no concern for their constituents and are only driven by one simple force – GREED. Politics is just another business opportunity that pays better than most jobs, not … [Read more...] about WHY?

The President Must do This, The Premier Must do That, The Mayor Must Fire So and So…A business lesson I learned a long time ago is this one; “If you run someone down in the industry in which you work you are, by association, running yourself and your whole industry down!” That in turn is a signal to prospective customers (supporters/voters/stakeholders) that you are not trustworthy and do not have a valid solution for their needs. A hallmark of opposition politics is the ability to negatively … [Read more...] about Aren’t You Tired of Being Told This…

Wouldn’t you rather have your leaders being corrupt for South Africa?We witness the many instances of selfish fraud and corruption in our country by many people voted into power to do the bidding of our constituents. Most of those instances of fraud and corruption involve the same form of ‘sleight of hand’: The person accused of fraud and corruption is a member of a legal entity that is granted a large contract from a department that the accused has large influence over. Frankly these amoeba … [Read more...] about On Corruption: I want to be seen as favouring the entity I am involved in

The Ward Demarcations are determined by The Municipal Demarcation Board – an independent authority responsible for the determination of municipal boundaries. The Board’s status as an independent authority is also protected by section 3 of The Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998, and various judgments by the Constitutional Court.Every five years, wards in metropolitan and local municipalities are delimited for electoral purposes. Four principles guide ward configuration: use voting … [Read more...] about 2021 Ward 7 Boundaries

Time to Leave the Low Hanging Fruit aloneI note with pride the efforts by the new COGG government in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to rebuild our City by fixing potholes, fences, braai areas, picnic spots and the like. BUT My sense of pride is tinged with a bit of cynicism. The cynic in me says; “Why are they NOT tackling the ROOT CAUSE of all this neglect?” Could it all be to do with timing? A Lipsticked Pig will remain just a pig With local elections slated to occur close to November … [Read more...] about Like Putting Lipstick on a Pig

With reference to the removal of the braai areas along Marine Drive from the Beacon at Admiralty Way to Flat Rocks by the Municipality this past weekend – have your say HERE: BACKGROUND Marine Drive Braais Removed According to the Ward 1 Councillor the decision to bulldoze these facilities was taken late on Friday night. Political Head of the Municipal Department of Sports, Recreation Arts and Culture, Helga van Staaden said; “People aren’t compliant and we can’t put a monetary value to a … [Read more...] about The Removal of the Summerstrand Braai Areas was?