Most ratepayers and consumers are incensed at the latest round of price increases for services from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.Looking at the historical AVERAGE PERCENTAGE increases since 2013/14 the 2021/22 increases are the SECOND LOWEST in the last 10 years at 7.518%. The lowest AVERAGE PERCENTAGE increase was in 2018/19 at 5%, whilst the highest AVERAGE PERCENTAGE increase was in 2013/14 at 13%. See the tables below for all the figures since 2013/14: Year End%Average over ALL … [Read more...] about The 2021/22 Services Increases are NOT the Highest Average since 2013/14
Ward 7
IEC ready for Local Elections
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says it is technically ready to conduct the 2021 Local Government Elections.Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Glen Mashinini, made the announcement during the official launch of the 2021 Municipal Elections on Wednesday, where the Commission unveiled a mobilisation campaign aimed at encouraging eligible voters to register and participate in the October elections. The mobilisation campaign will be rolled out from Wednesday over two phases … [Read more...] about IEC ready for Local Elections
Let’s Not Bury Electoral Reform This Time Around
OUTA says that Today marks the first anniversary of the Constitutional Court judgment that declared sections of the Electoral Act unconstitutional. In 2020 the Concout ordered that Parliament must amend the Electoral Act to allow for independent candidates to stand for national and provincial elections.Parliament is halfway through the two years the Constitutional Court gave it to bring the Electoral Act in line with the Constitution, but little seems to have been done. South Africa has waited … [Read more...] about Let’s Not Bury Electoral Reform This Time Around
IEC Invites Comments from Public on 27 October 2021 LGE
The Inquiry into Ensuring Free and Fair Local Government Elections during COVID-19, has invited the public to submit their views on the forthcoming Local Government Elections, to be held on 27 October 2021.In a statement on Thursday, the inquiry invited the public to provide their views on whether the Electoral Commission will be able to ensure that the forthcoming general local government elections are free and fair, in view of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures … [Read more...] about IEC Invites Comments from Public on 27 October 2021 LGE
Get to Know Ward 7
The 11 364 registered voters in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality Ward 7 (comprising sections of Schauderville, Holland Park, Ferguson, Steytler, Adcockvale, Newton Park, Kensington, Perridgevale, Parsons Hill, Greenacres, Glenhurd and Mill Park) are currently serviced by Ward Councilor John Sturrock Best.Last election results (*Top 3 contesting parties) DA – 8 939 Votes (93.13% Support) ANC – 386 Votes (4.01% Support) ACDP – 71 Votes (0.77% Support) Ward 7 Data as per Census … [Read more...] about Get to Know Ward 7
ONE Area in Which Nelson Mandela Bay LEADS the Pack (but shouldn’t!)
The MunicipalMoney.gov.za information site analyses municipal budgets and spending patterns and is one that is compelling to peruse.Let’s look at where the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality completely lost the plot during the 2018/2019 year – Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure which, expressed as a percentage of operating expenditure, hit a shameful low (high) of: Unauthorised expenditure means any spending that was not budgeted for or that is unrelated to the … [Read more...] about ONE Area in Which Nelson Mandela Bay LEADS the Pack (but shouldn’t!)
Like Putting MORE Lipstick on a Pig
Why for the love of all that is dear are we so obsessed with Pothole Repair?And I only write this in the context of our present struggles with Water and Electricity. Have we sunk so low in the Fourth Estate that Pothole Repair has become the poster child of the ‘old’ mantra that went like this; “If it bleeds it leads” 40% of our Metro will run out of water in July, starting with Kwanobuhle and then extending down the areas to the West of the Swartkops River. All I see is: The resignation of the … [Read more...] about Like Putting MORE Lipstick on a Pig
Dear Taxpayer, Thanks for the R375 Million or so, Regards Your Politicians
This is how you are funding political parties through ParliamentSouth African taxpayers will indirectly assist in funding political parties to the tune of roughly R375 million during the 2021/22 financial year through “constituency support”, or funding for constituency offices. This was revealed by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) in their comment on Parliament’s draft budget which will come under scrutiny during the parliamentary vote today. But what happens to this money, which flows … [Read more...] about Dear Taxpayer, Thanks for the R375 Million or so, Regards Your Politicians
Are we spending Taxpayer Money on Cr@p Again?
A recent press release speaks of Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu appointing a task team to assist government through the National School of Government (The NSG), to finalise the National Implementation Framework towards the professionalisation of the public service.“We have decided to bring independent expertise to assess the evidence, undertake peer review and make concrete recommendations on proposals outlined in the draft framework,” the Minister said in a statement on … [Read more...] about Are we spending Taxpayer Money on Cr@p Again?
Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) Statement on the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Taxi Dispute
The Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) recognise the urgent efforts of the key stakeholders and leadership of the city to mediate and facilitate a viable solution to the conflict between taxi drivers and taxi owners that has been taken to the streets of the Metro.AIM recognise that the conflict occurs within a complex context and long-standing history of relations and events affecting the taxi industry and more recently the COVID-19 containment measures. AIM recognise that the taxi industry … [Read more...] about Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) Statement on the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Taxi Dispute
2021 Voter Registration Weekend
IEC LogoVoters will only have one weekend for voter registration – 17 and 18 July 2021 – ahead of the 27 October 2021 Local Government Elections. The date was announced earlier today at a gathering of the South African Editors Forum with the comment that due to the IEC’s finances there would only be one voter registration weekend. Click here – https://www.elections.org.za/pw/Voter/Voter-Information – to check your voter registration status. Tell Your Mates:Ward 7 Independent Councillor … [Read more...] about 2021 Voter Registration Weekend
Four Winds in Ward 7
The Four Winds Music Club will be presenting an acoustic show at the Savoy Theatre on 30 May, featuring some of our regular musos.To entertain you: Al Gillies (current chairman) providing some good ‘old fashion folk’. Arthur Daniels well known in theatre circles, and providing some more contemporary songs from 90’s to 2000’s. Acoustic Pop/Rock Laura and Dave Fullbrook: Again Laura no stranger to the theatre circles having done Showtime and Broadway Revue’s. David is a committee member of the … [Read more...] about Four Winds in Ward 7
Submissions made to Electoral Commission inquiry to be available to public
Former Deputy Chief Justice, Dikgang Moseneke, says the submissions made to the inquiry into whether COVID-19 will have an impact on the Local Government Elections will be made accessible to all stakeholders and the public. The Electoral Commission appointed Moseneke to lead a process of evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on conditions conducive for free and fair Local Government Elections to be held in October. The inquiry is expected to make findings and report on, and make recommendations … [Read more...] about Submissions made to Electoral Commission inquiry to be available to public
Dance Festival at the Savoy Theatre
Ward 7 residents can expect to be captivated and entertained by talented dancers belonging to the city’s many and wonderful dance studios as they perform at the Friendly City Dance Festival (FCDF) in June. Now in its 4th year, FCDF has grown tremendously and organisers are thrilled with the continued and growing support that the festival has received from dance studios and the public from in and around the city. The festival prides themselves in offering a friendly platform to all of their … [Read more...] about Dance Festival at the Savoy Theatre
But, Isn’t the ‘Township Economy’ just ‘The Economy’
We constantly hear all these buzzwords around the ‘township economy’, ‘township tourism’, township stimulus packages’ and I am a tad concerned…My main concern centers around just WHO is touting these buzzwords – politicians on the hunt for votes. The sad reality is that these self same politicians THINK that the way to stay in power is to play to the masses, the great unwashed, the poor, the uneducated and the desperate AND they THINK that they will find those people in what we call ‘the … [Read more...] about But, Isn’t the ‘Township Economy’ just ‘The Economy’
