SmilingSouth

ABOUT YOUR X… #LGEMakana2021

SmilingSouth invited ward candidates contesting the 2021 Local Government Elections in Makana Municipality to respond to three questions and provide their manifesto.
Parties/ entities, their abbreviations and links to their full manifestos (where applicable and available): African National Congress (ANC); African Transformation Movement (ATM); Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo); Democratic Alliance (DA); Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF); Independent (IND); Makana Citizens Front (MCF); Makana Independent New Deal (MIND); Patriotic Alliance (PA); Vryheidsfront-Plus (VFP).
The questions:
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

Candidates who haven’t responded are listed at the end.  The order for each ward is alphabetical, according to surname.

WARD 4
READ RESPONSES FROM
Geoff Embling, DA
Philip Machanick, MCF
Philippa Sauls, PA
Loraine Weissenberg, MIND
RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED
Gretchen du Plessis, ANC
Loraine Weissenberg, MIND
WILL NOT BE RESPONDING
Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus

GEOFF EMBLING, DA

1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?

The three most important issues in Ward 4 are infrastructure maintenance (sewerage leaks, water leaks, potholes, blocked drains), safety (street lights, working with the community police forum) and refuse management (rubbish removal, litter & stray animals).

2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?

These issues will be raised at council meetings, and I will report back regularly to the public via WhatsApp groups and social media. I will doggedly pinpoint the issues again and again, and create petitions for the public to sign, which will be sent to council, and then to the provincial legislature and to parliament if necessary. I will write newspaper articles and report issues through the media, and Ward 4 will have regular Ward committee meetings where we will keep a register of resolutions, actions and requests. I aim to scrutinise municipal budgets and make sure our money is used honestly and in the best ways to make the city clean, safe to live in, and to fix infrastructure and bring economic growth.

3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

The past is the best predictor of the future, and since my days of school teaching in Grahamstown-Makhanda, I have reported infrastructure issues to the municipality and written about them in the Grocott’s Mail. That was as a concerned member of the public, but as a Ward Councillor it will be my full time job. Secondly, I grew up in Grahamstown-Makhanda, matriculated here and completed a master’s degree in political science at Rhodes. I taught Maths at Mary Waters, before leaving for Cape Town and KZN to work full time for the DA. Stakeholders can be sure that I will work in their interests in my home town where I spent many happy years.

PHILIP MACHANICK, MCF

1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?

Water, street lights, potholes.

2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?

* Water requires deep understanding of the infrastructure issues going back to the original plans to upgrade the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works. In addition to asking questions in Council and of Amatola Water, I will use the community expertise that the present council refuses to use.

* For street lights, I will build a system to track outages based on a typical helpdesk system that will prioritise longer-standing problems and ensure that they get dealt with. I will also push for prioritising streets with high night-time pedestrian traffic like St Aidans Avenue.

* For potholes, I will mobilise private resources in the short term, along the lines of Makana Revive, and put pressure on the Makana Roads Department to do its job.

3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

I have a long track record in civil society including being a member of the Makana Civil Society Coalition and chairing the Makana Residents Association. I have taken part in numerous clean ups and civic actions. These include saving the historic railway station from being looted to destruction, preventing a gambling shop from opening near a school, stopping a cell tower development in an inappropritate place, preventing Eskom from shutting off power because of unpaid Makana accounts and sorting out problems with the last municipal property rates evaluations. I have helped on other campaigns like the 22,000 signature petition to dissolve council and the UPM high court action that followed from the petition.

PHILIPPA SAULS, PA
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?

* To ensure the people in my community have access to clean water on a daily basis.

* To help keep our community clean by removing the  garbage from the illegal dumping sites with the help of the Makana municipality.

* And to ensure the people’s basic needs are being taken care of, this include, housing, food, water etc

2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?

I will use my platform help raise awareness of the problems within my community. Further on, I will engage with the concerned parties to make sure we have a clean and safe environment. And will raise funds to help the less privileged families within our community.

3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

I will regularly check in with the members of my ward to remain up to date with the issues and progress of it. Also provide the community with my contact details so they can have access to me on different platforms to raise their concerns. And most importantly to try and meet their expectations of a ward leader.

I would also develop a committee within the ward for each street so we can check on the progress being made on a monthly basis.

LORAINE WEISSENBERG, MIND
MIND has a general plan/manifesto for the whole of Makana and specific plans/manifestos for individual wards. Each of the individual ward plans/manifestos is consistent with MIND’s overall plan/manifesto. 

1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
The issues affecting one ward are mostly the same issues affecting other wards but the biggest single problem of Makana is the dysfunctionality of the municipality in almost every aspect of its operations.  That issue cuts across all wards and cannot be approached on a ward-by-ward basis hence MIND’s slogan:  “Let’s fix Makana.”

GRETCHEN DU PLESSIS, ANC
No response received

MURRY HEENEN, EFF
No response received

DEON ELS, VFP
Deon Els has indicated he will not be responding.

ALL ABOUT YOUR X…

ABOUT YOUR X… #LGEMakana2021

SmilingSouth invited ward candidates contesting the 2021 Local Government Elections in Makana Municipality to respond to three questions and provide their manifesto.
Parties/ entities, their abbreviations and links to their full manifestos (where applicable and available): African National Congress (ANC); African Transformation Movement (ATM); Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo); Democratic Alliance (DA) Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF); Independent (IND); Makana Citizens Front (MCF); Makana Independent New Deal (MIND); Patriotic Alliance (PA); Vryheidsfront-Plus (VFP).
The questions:
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

Candidates who haven’t responded are listed at the end.  The order for each ward is alphabetical, according to surname.

WARD 3
READ RESPONSES FROM
Ntombozuko Faxa, MCF
Lorinda May, MIND
Xabiso Ngqawana, IND
RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED
Bangelizwe Boko, ANC
Godfrey Brockman, DA
Andile Hoyi, ANC
Cedric Visagie, PA
Nosikhumbuzo Zwane, EFF
WILL NOT BE RESPONDING
Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus

NTOMBOZUKO FAXA, MCF
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?

Community priorities:

1.            Construction of properly built houses.

2.            Enabling job creation

3.            Clean water every day

2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
Besides attending council meetings I would meet with other parts of council such as the Speaker. I will follow up with items raised in these meetings and make sure they are taken seriously.

3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

I am committed to my community, I run a regular soup kitchen and our family works with the local youth on soccer and netball teams. We have constructed our own soccer field in Mayfield. We would use these meeting places as well as holding ward committee meetings, for communication to and from council.

XABISO NGQAWANA IND

1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?

1. (a) Old , decayed and absence of infastructure    

    (B) Problem of Many Informal Areas (Zolani , Phaphamani ,Mnandi, Phola Park and Sun City) with no services and causing a huge housing backlog.

   (C) Unemployment ,drugs and substance abuse that is also the major cause of teenage pregnancy, school dropout and crime.

2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
Infastructure – Formalization of informal settlements so they can be formal townships. A transparent and realistic  IDP process to be conducted so all the wishes and projects the people of the  Ward wish to see in the ward to be reflected , I will push tirelessly for the council to make proposals and requests to other government departments for grants for projects such as sewer system installations , Electrification , tarring and housing in my ward  , formalization is the starting point and a first step of the process.

Housing backlog – I will push for the formalization of informal area so people can be build houses where they are settled at the moment. Have a Committee that is gonna deal with selection of people who qualify for housing strictly using Criteria as set by the Human settlement which is

Elderly People

Disabled people

Child-headed families

And married people with children.

Unemployment ,Drugs and substance abuse – I will form partnership with Social Development , Community Committees, School , Churches and NGOs that deals with drugs and substance abuse so to formulate programmes that speak directly to the problem and have awareness outreach programmes throughout the ward.

I will approach private and government departments for skill development for the people of the Ward , also NGOs as I believe in most cases if you capacitate a person In terms of skills so she or he can  be self employed and be an employer helping on the issue of Unemployment.. I will try forge partnership with local companies for projects that can be sustainable for people in my ward like cleaning and beautification of the Ward. Teenage pregnancy needs a collective strategy between all the stakeholders namely families, Councillors, Schools , Social Development ,DoE , Churches and elders of the Ward so we can get to the root cause.

3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

I have been working tirelessly and very hard for the ward for the past 21 years, working with different Councillors, I’m vested in experience in terms of problems of the Ward, I’m a soldier of service delivery and a Community Development Practitioner. I want to have a very transparent term of office if given the opportunity. I will have a Committee outside the Ward committee that will advise me on different issues that affect my Ward; I will have a Committee that will deal with issues of projects and employment so Selection and recruitment can be fair and benefits everyone; I will involve all Community members and Stakeholders in developmental decisions of the Ward and the direction we must go to better the lives of our people.

As the Independent Candidate I will be in the position to take a mandate directly from the Community to the Council without any political Party interferences, patronage and Party lines.

MY WARD 3 MANIFESTO

The ward is very vast, with  different backgrounds and cultures. It’s one of the Ward with many Informal Settlements namely (Phaphamani , Zolani , Sun City , Phola park and Mnandi) there are many challenges that includes Substance abuse , Crime , High unemployment , Lack of Recreational facilities , No Community Hall in the Ward , illegal dumping sites , Vandalized sport fields , Housing , Huge potholes , teenage pregnancy and School dropout , lack of Skills and Community Development and many other challenges that need addressing.

Partnership with various Government departments is needed to address problems that are faced by the ward. A Ward  Stakeholder Strategic forum ( Government departments , Churches , Schools , NGOs and other forums ) must be formed so to advice the Councillor on many different issues so to work together as the Community of Ward 3 in finding well researched solutions on issues  facing our Ward.

1. Phaphamani

> Perking (Formalization)

> Housing backlog need addressing

> Decent Sewer system

> Unemployment (Sustainable projects and skills development)

> Fixing the sewer spills that are allover the area.

> GBV

> Drugs and high level of crime

2. Zolani

> Concluding of Formalizing of the area

> building of decent Toilets

> GBV and Crime

> Unemployment

> Skill Development

>  Drugs and Substance abuse

> High Unemployment that needs addressing through partnerships with other departments , stakeholders and training institutions.

3. Sun City

> Formalization of the area so infastructure and decent house can be provided.

> Drug and Substance abuse

> Unemployment

> Infrastructure ( sewer and tar)

> Doing away with Bucket system

4. Phumlani

> Rehabilitation of old houses ( 2011 Council resolution)

> Fixing of the Community Park

> Drug and Substance abuse

> Unemployment

 5. Ext 10

> Tarring of roads

> Title deeds

> Crime

> Unemployment

> Substance abuse

6. Mnandi

> Housing backlog

> Tarring of Small road

> Unemployment

7. Vergenoeg

> Problem of backyard dwellers

> Drug and Substance abuse

> Unemployment

> Skills development

> Status of those Pubic works houses

> Fixing the problem of sewer spill

> Fixing of Huge potholes

8. Phola Park

> Electrification

> Formalization of the area

> Crime

> Drugs and Substance abuse

> Unemployment

> Housing Issue

> Skill development

> Doing away with Bucket system and pit toilets.

9. Ghost Town

> Fixing of old houses (2011 resolution)

> Backyard dwellers

> Unemployment

> Drugs and Substance abuse

> Teenage pregnancy

> High dropout at school

> Potholes

10. Hooggenoeg

> Backyard dwellers

> Drug and Substance abuse

> Tarring of the middle streets

> Unemployment

> Teenage pregnancy

>  High rate of dropout in school

>  Skills development

>. Crime

Overall view of Ward 3

1. A community Hall is needed

2. Urgent intervention in fixing those dangerous potholes near Mary Waters and other areas

3. Street lights for the Mary Waters area

4. A Community Recreation place near Mary Waters need maintenance and beautification.

5. 2 sport fields in our Ward needs a serious maintenance

6. The Ward as the whole is dirty so a cleaning and sustainable strategy is needed , working with all the stakeholders to address this.

7. Doing away with Bucket system at Zolani ,Phaphamani , Sun City and Phola Park.

BANGELIZWE GEOFFREY BOKO, ANC
No response received yet

GODFREY BROCKMAN, DA
No response received yet

ZANEKHAYA/ ANDILE HOYI, ANC
No response received yet

CEDRIC VISAGIE, PA
Response not yet received

NOSIKHUMBUZO CAROL ZWANE, EFF
No response received yet

LORINDA LILLIAN MAY, MIND – Candidate has withdrawn for personal reasons
MIND has a general plan/manifesto for the whole of Makana and specific plans/manifestos for individual wards. Each of the individual ward plans/manifestos is consistent with MIND’s overall plan/manifesto. The issues affecting one ward are mostly the same issues affecting other wards but the biggest single problem of Makana is the dysfunctionality of the municipality in almost every aspect of its operations.  That issue cuts across all wards and cannot be approached on a ward-by-ward basis hence MIND’s slogan:  “Let’s fix Makana.”

DEON ELS, VFP
Deon Els said he would not be responding.

ALL ABOUT YOUR X…

ABOUT YOUR X… #LGEMakana2021

SmilingSouth invited ward candidates contesting the 2021 Local Government Elections in Makana Municipality to respond to three questions and provide their manifesto.
Parties/ entities, their abbreviations and links to their full manifestos (where applicable and available): African National Congress (ANC); African Transformation Movement (ATM); Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo); Democratic Alliance (DA) Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF); Independent (IND); Makana Citizens Front (MCF); Makana Independent New Deal (MIND); Patriotic Alliance (PA); Vryheidsfront-Plus (VFP).
The questions:
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

Candidates who haven’t responded are listed at the end.  The order for each ward is alphabetical, according to surname.

WARD 2
READ RESPONSES FROM
Sisa Mahambehlala, Azapo
Lungile Mxube, MCF
Khaliphani Mziwakhe, DA
RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED
Denis Kayingana, ATM
Ramie Xonxa, ANC
Sivuyile Twatwa, EFF
WILL NOT BE RESPONDING
Deon Els, VFP

SISA CECIL MAHAMBEHLALA, AZAPO
1.  Provide sustainable jobs

• Tourism – training and skilling of tour- Guides (historical destination), kaolin deposits to train and support business related opportunities for sustainable jobs.

• Encouraging small scale factories that will generate turnover for our communities,

• Promote agricultural and sustainable farming along various commodities, like diary, beef, citrus and vegetables for local markets, thus promoting sustainable jobs.3:

2. Fight crime and drug abuse in our communities

• Through education by various segments of communities like educators, health workers and health professionals, government agencies and non-governmental organisation, civic bodies, police services, ward and street committees and political and traditional leaders, individuals.

LUNGILE MXUBE, MCF
Ward 2 manifesto:

KHALIPHANI MZIWAKHE, DA

1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? AND 2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?

1) Poor, irregular waste collection. The four-way stop at Joza hub, plastic and other domestic waste are forming a mountain of  garbage. Which is a health  hazard to the community around and the school children in particular as the dump site at the corner of school yards. It is a miracle that there is still no record of disease outbreaks in those schools.

Solution: even after the high court ordered the Municipality to clear all the dumpsites, it is evident that there is no political will to provide a healthy, clean environment for the community as the court order date has elapsed and no action has been taken. The plan is, if the motion fail to surface in council,  we invite every community member starting with schools. As a collective we clear the dumpsites, pick up all the plastic in open lands. Achieve a healthy environment and instill environmental conserving mentality amongst residents. Working together with committees, track down those who will continue illegal dumping.

2) Youth unemployment, youth in ward 2 and Grahamstown in particular are victims of lack of opportunities in their community. Resorting to alcohol and substance abuse.

Solution: We must have a council that supports entrepreneurship, as the government alone cannot employ everyone. The Jazz Conner area must be turned into a Hustlers corner (amongst others have carwashes, fast food outlets to get money circulating in the township, Financial assisting Hustlers in start-ups. Economists believe that money should bounce at least 3 times in a community before it exists to create wealth. Lastly we will ensure that for every Municipal project in ward 2, ward 2 residents will be prioritised for work or service provision.

3) Crime. Ward 2 petty (theft, house breaking, etc) crime rate is amongst the highest in Grahamstown according Hic Tec and SAPS stats. Cases of serious crimes are alarming to say the least.

Solution: We need strong unaccountable neighbourhood watch and street committees. Getting older citizens, especially fathers, in the committees to be the link between the police, crime reporting , and community. Alternatively creating an environment where all stakeholders work together to ensure safety.

Crime is a symptom. We need to get youth working again to save our future.

My Organization the DA has pledges to get things done. The track record the hold in Municipalities where they govern speaks for itself. Where we govern we fulfill our commitments, where we govern we get things done.

DENIS ANDILE KAYINGANA, ATM
Response not yet received

RAMIE XONXA, ANC
Response not yet received

SIVUYILE TWATWA, EFF
No response received yet

DEON ELS, VFP
Deon Els has indicated he will not be responding.

ALL ABOUT YOUR X…

ABOUT YOUR X… #LGEMakana2021

SmilingSouth invited ward candidates contesting the 2021 Local Government Elections in Makana Municipality to respond to three questions and provide their manifesto.
Parties/ entities, their abbreviations and links to their full manifestos (where applicable and available): African National Congress (ANC); African Transformation Movement (ATM); Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo); Democratic Alliance (DA); Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF); Independent (IND); Makana Citizens Front (MCF); Makana Independent New Deal (MIND); Patriotic Alliance (PA); Vryheidsfront-Plus (VFP).
The questions:
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

Candidates who haven’t responded are listed at the end.  The order for each ward is alphabetical, according to surname.

WARD 1
READ RESPONSES FROM
Mzamo Booysen, EFF
Adrian February, MIND
Cary Clark, DA
Pikisile Zondani, AZAPO

RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED
Asanda Ngqina ATM
Phumelele Peter, ANC

WILL NOT BE RESPONDING
Deon Els, VFP

MZAMO BOOYSEN, EFF

1. (a) Transparency
     (b) Accountability
     (C) Proper flow of information from the stakeholders to the people.
     (d) Co operation within stakeholders is the key component and remedy in 2 Societical matters engulfed our wards.

2. (a) Building  good working relations and social cohesion through programmes and Community meetings.
     (b) The councillor position is to consolidate presentation in the Council Chamber

3. Schedule meetings with stakeholders and community meeting with the the intentions to give people a chance to raise issues of their interest specially Job opportunities.

ADRIAN FEBRUARY, MIND

MIND has a general plan/manifesto for the whole of Makana and specific plans/manifestos for individual wards. Each of the individual ward plans/manifestos is consistent with MIND’s overall plan/manifesto. 

1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?

The issues affecting one ward are mostly the same issues affecting other wards but the biggest single problem of Makana is the dysfunctionality of the municipality in almost every aspect of its operations.  That issue cuts across all wards and cannot be approached on a ward-by-ward basis hence MIND’s slogan:  “Let’s fix Makana.”

WARDS 1, 13 & 14 are predominantly rural wards each with an urban component where most of the voters are concentrated, namely Ward 1 (Riebeeck-East; Hooggenoeg);  Ward 13 (Vukani);  Ward 14 (Alicedale).  MIND’s candidates, ADRIAN FEBRUARY (Ward 1) and ANDREW KIRK (Wards 13&14) have determined the following focus areas:  1. Rural safety and security (SAPS response times, cameras & crime prevention, stock theft & poaching);  Environment (waste management, preservation of protected areas, road reserves & road maintenance); Infrastructure & amenities (access to water, health care & social work, electricity/alternative energy). Job creation is another priority identified by the candidates.  The priorities for the urban areas within Wards 1, 13 & 14 are they same as those identified for the other urban wards in Makana.

WARD 5 (CHRIS BOWER), 7 (XOLANI NGOYIYA) & 10 (SIGIDLA NDUMO) – including the areas of Hooggenoeg in Ward 1;  Vukani in Ward 13 and Alicedale in Ward 14 – are all situated in the eastern part of Grahamstown/Makhanda where the conditions are the most atrocious. Matters which will receive the most urgent attention are: a reliable water supply to all areas; the condition of streets; regular refuse removal and proper waste management; recreation & sporting facilities.  Apart from these specifics, MIND will spearhead a masterplan with realistic, achievable and sustainable objectives to drastically improve township living conditions. 

2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?

Our municipality is effectively broken and it is questionable whether any of the mechanisms which ought to be available to councillors are presently available & working. That is why MIND’s first priority is to fix the municipality itself with a total overhaul of its operations and a staffing review to ensure competence and productivity. 

3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

Each MIND candidate has a track-record of voluntary service to the community.  They are also standing in their personal capacity and are directly accountable to you the voter.  That is your best guarantee that they will do the job you have elected them to do.  

CARY CLARK, DA
Ward 1 and Ward 8   DA Candidate

 The 3 most pressing issues for ward 1 and 8 are as follows:

* A reliable water supply in all areas

* Working infrastructure which include roads, lights, sewerage and rubbish collection and clean ups

* Employment

To make sure we have stable supply of water in ward 1 I will fight to get ALL the boreholes operational in Riebeeck East, in the rural and indigent areas I will push to have more sustainable boreholes drilled and rainwater harvesting for ALL RDP/indigent dwellings along with a new By Law to ensure that all new builds will have rain water harvesting facilities as part of the building process and to investigate the possibility of rebates for people wanting to install rain water harvesting tanks.

*  I would like to see money budgeted for and ringfenced for infrastructure maintenance and to ensure that our SCM processes are dealt with far more efficiently and expediently through proper planning, that stock items needed for proper and quick maintenance is kept on hand and properly check and monitored to ensure speedy delivery of services. I would like to see maintenance schedules published so that the community are aware of exactly where and when it will be taking place so that they can hold the Municipality accountable. I will put through a motion to have a dedicated Customer Care line established which is properly monitored with reference numbers to enable people to track their complaints with maximum 72 hours turnaround but less for water and sewerage. I would like to see an immediate cleanup of all sewerage spills especially where it contaminates the rivers and will take this up with the Green Scorpions as well as well as escalating it to out Shadow Minister of Environmental Affairs for urgent intervention. I will put through a motion to tag all livestock including donkeys and push to establish a pound facility which is guarded. Work on an aggressive education drive against littering and supply sufficient black bags to all indigent households. I would put through a motion to establish a unit with the Traffic Dept which would be able to enforce our By Laws and fine those who do not comply. More staff should be trained for this unit, sourcing these people internally.

* I would like to see far more investment in our youth through skills training and partnerships with Private companies (internships) and Educational institutions like Rhodes as well as skills training for trades and then to give support for entrepreneurs wanting to start their own businesses . Through LED and private/public partnerships encourage investment in Makana to drive economic growth and employment.  Working with Businesses and Rhodes  to establish a Forum to brainstorm ideas to encourage growth and Tourism in the area.

3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?

I have been a councillor in ward 1 for the past 5 years and in that time have managed to get the WTW in Riebeeck East refurbished, the roads graded on a number of occasions after applying pressure to the Minister of Transport, succeeded in having additional boreholes drilled in Riebeeck East to ensure that we do not run dry in the drought, have had a satellite Fire Station installed,  raised issues to the Minister of Police,assisted a soup kitchen in Hooggenoeg, run a garden competition for 4 years which helped to install 15 jojos, 40 bins and helped people to sustain their families. I have put through numerous motions to council and portfolio, dealt with hundreds of complaints with a relatively high success rate, highlighted numerous issues to the Legislature and media, successfully mediated on behalf of our local school with the SGB for teachers, assisted with a case against the Municipality for negligence where a child died and another is brain damaged as a result of playground equipment left broken, assisted our local soccer team to acquire kit, worked with a community member to assist in opening a case of theft of gas bottles within the Municipality and have done numerous oversight visits as well attended almost all scheduled meetings and participated fully. At all times I have reported back to the community I represent and will do the same for any ward where I would be voted in as a ward councillor. I am available to assist night and day. My track record and testimonials can attest to my dedication.

Click to access LGE-2021-Manifesto.pdf

PIKISILE ERIC ZONDANI, AZAPO
To have safe and clean communities

• Municipality to provide clean water services including ways of water conservation strategies healthy environment, solid waste removal, sewerage leakages tarring of roads and streets and general maintenance of existing resources.

• Provide sports and recreation facilities for our children – improve the existing sporting and recreation facilities through government support programs and creating private and public partnership in providing sports and recreation facilities backlogs.

• Support small business and informal sector – provide business training and skills development in various business according to their needs and interests. To encourage them to start new business ventures where there are non-existence and encourage them to register their business / co-operatives.

ASANDA NGQINA, ATM
No response yet

PHUMELELE PETER, ANC
No response yet

DEON ELS, VFP
Deon Els has indicated he will not be responding.

ALL ABOUT YOUR X…

#LGE2021 MAKANA VOTERS GUIDE

WHO WILL YOU VOTE FOR?

SmilingSouth invited ward candidates contesting the 2021 Local Government Elections in Makana Municipality to respond to three questions and provide their manifesto. The questions:
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?
Click on your ward BELOW to read the responses of party based and independent candidates who are competing to represent you. Only one party (and individual), the VFP, actively declined to respond. Any others that may be missing haven’t yet responded. To find out which is your ward, click on the IEC’s website here.

Ward 1

Ward 2

Ward 3

Ward 4

Ward 5

Ward 6

Ward 7

Ward 8

Ward 9

Ward 10

Ward 11

Ward 12

Ward 13

Ward 14

WHAT?
In Municipal Elections, you vote for a political party and a ward councillor (a mixed system of PR and a ward constituency system) to get seats at the municipal level. Here in Makana, you’ll receive 3 ballots:
* 1 for a ward councillor for the Makana Local Council;
* 1 for a party for the Makana Local Council;
* 1 for a party for the Sarah Baartman District Council.
People living in metropolitan areas like Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City metros get 2 ballots: 1 for a ward councillor and 1 for a party.

Municipal elections are different from National and Provincial Elections, where you vote for a political party (Proportional Representative or PR electoral system) to get seats in the national or provincial legislatures. In municipal elections you get the opportunity to put your X next to someone you know and trust on your Ward Councillor ballot.

WHY THREE BALLOT PAPERS?

On 1 November, Makana voters will give 28 councillors the mandate to look after citizens’ interests for the next five years – 14 ward councillors and 14 proportional representation (PR) councillors.

Two of your ballots are for a party. The third is for an individual councillor. Makana has candidates who are independent, as well as candidates representing a political party. At the end of this guide is a link to each ward, where you will find responses from independent and party based candidates contesting it.

The councillors Makana voters put in place to look after their interests over the past five years (2016 to 2021) were representatives of three parties: The ANC (12 ward councilors and 6 PR councilors) was the majority; the DA had 2 ward and 6 PR seats; the EFF held 2 PR seats.

This year, the following parties or entities are contesting the local government election in Makana:
African National Congress (ANC); African Transformation Movement (ATM); Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo); Democratic Alliance (DA); Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF); Independent candidates (IND); Makana Citizens Front (MCF); Makana Independent New Deal (MIND); Patriotic Alliance (PA); Vryheidsfront-Plus (VFP).

WHEN? MONDAY 1 NOVEMBER 7am to 9pm

WHERE?

When you check your registration status online, it will tell you exactly where you must go to vote. There may be more than one voting district in your ward. Once registered, your name will appear only on the Voters’ Roll for the voting district at which you registered and you can only vote there. If you voted in the last (national) election and you haven’t moved, you vote in the same place.

HOW?

1. On 1 November 2021, go to the voting station at which you’re registered. Don’t forget to bring:
   * Your mask;
   * A pen (if you wish);
   * Official identification – your green, bar-coded ID book; or Smartcard ID or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).
2. Show your identification to the voting officer.
3. The voting officer checks that your name appears on the voters’ roll. If you are not on the voters’ roll, but have proof that you have registered (e.g. registration sticker), the Presiding Officer must validate your proof of registration. If he/she is satisfied with the proof, you must complete a MEC7 form and will then be allowed to continue as an ordinary voter.
4. Once the voting officer is satisfied that you have the correct ID, are a registered voter and have not already voted, your name is marked off the roll, your ID is stamped on the second page and your thumbnail is inked.
5. The voting officer stamps the back of the correct number of official ballot papers and gives them to you. You’ll receive 3 ballots: 1 for a ward councillor for the Makana Local Council; 1 for a party for the Makana Local Council; and 1 for a party for the Sarah Baartman District Council.
6. Take your ballot paper/s to an empty ballot booth, mark the ballot paper, fold it so that your choice isn’t visible and place the ballot paper in the ballot box.

That’s it – you’re done.