Frankly and in my humble personal opinion we should have an election every year as it seems that only then do we see our politicians scurrying around like busy little bees kissing babies, pumping flesh, opening envelopes (or is it e-mails?), dedicating statues, engaging with business (and the poor and the rich and the disabled and the women and the men and the gay and the lesbian), doing photo op worthy contributions to service delivery, reflecting on their contributions – the list is endless.
I say that the solution to all this hot air and lies is a return to when the political party foot soldiers of local government – the councillors – were not PAID and only had their expenses covered. From that motley crew the political parties can then choose people with real commitment to serving the citizens of South Africa.
Or imagine a remuneration scale based on real contribution by each Councillor – how many complaints successfully concluded, how many street lights not working, how many residents actually spoken to, overall resident rating of councillor’s effectiveness etc etc.
All I can say is that I have been more than 16 years in my ward and NOT ONCE has our Ward Councillor held a public meeting, dropped a note in my postbox, emailed me for my opinion, canvassed residents for their opinions or even told me who he/she/it is!
But, as usual, I digress.
In this time of local elections expect to see a dazzling cornucopia of events such as the one planned by our local Municipality below:
- Monday 11 April 2016: 11h30 Press conference with Mr Des Van Rooyen at City Hall, Hon. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. This will be the first visit by the Minister to the Metro. After the press conference the Minister will visit selected service delivery sites with members of the media
- Tuesday 12 April 2016: 09h00 Enterprise development and township economy summit at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The summit, which is expected to be attended by about 300 SMMEs, will be addressed among others by the Executive Mayor, MEC of Economic Development and Tourism, Hon. Mr Sakhumzi Somyo Minister of Small Business Development, Hon. Ms Lindiwe Zulu.
- Tuesday 12 April 2016: 10h00 Launch of Roll out of modular libraries with MEC Majodina.
- Wednesday 13 April 2016: 10h00 Launch of Roll out of modular libraries with MEC Majodina.
- Thursday 14 April 2016: 07h30 Tourism stakeholder engagement session with Deputy Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ms Thokozile Xasa at Summerstrand Hotel.
- Thursday 14 April 2016: 09h00 Unveiling of the tombstone of the late struggle veteran, Mr Ernest Sinqokwana Malgas
- Thursday 14 April 2016: 10h00 Service in honour of the late Mr Ernest Sinqokwana Malgas at Nangoza Jebe Hall
- Thursday 14 April 2016: Time TBC – Symbolic handover of a renovated house of a military veteran by the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans
- Thursday 14 April 2016: 17h00 Ernest Sinqokwana Malgas Memorial lecture at Nangoza Jebe Hall
- Friday 15 April 2016: 09h00 Opening of the Ernest Sinqokwana Malgas Drug Treatment Centre by MEC Sihlwayi
- Friday 15 April 2016: 11:00 Launch of the broadband and wi-fi project by Minister of Telecommunication and Postal Service, Hon. Mr Siyabonga Cwele.
So Excited!
Can anyone tell me when our politicians actually get down to any work?
Alan Straton
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