Makana Independent New Deal (MIND) Makana has laid a charge of fraud at the Grahamstown Police Station after 27 votes cast for its candidate in Salem, Ward 13, allegedly went missing. The grouping of independent candidates is also challenging authorities to reinstate the missing 28th seat in the Makana Council.
Candidate Andrew Kirk said a MIND party agent had WhatsApped him results for the Salem Land Claim voting district soon after the ward and Council PR counting was completed: Kirk had attracted 27 ward votes and 15 Council PR votes.
The next count was for the District PR votes which MIND wasn’t contesting.
“Our agent wasn’t aware he had to stay until all the counting was complete and left, thinking their role was finished,” Kirk said.
But the results issued by the IEC shortly after midday on Wednesday reflected only the PR votes. The ward vote showed zero.
Coordinator Jock McConnachie has lodged a formal objection to the result.
“The basis of the objection is that the number of ward votes for MIND as declared (0) does not accord with the number of votes recorded at the count and as noted by MIND’s party agent and other party agents (27) but which result was not formally signed off due to an oversight/irregularity by the IEC official in charge and which has led to the declaration of an incorrect result in respect of the votes registered for MIND,” McConnachie wrote in a letter dated 3 November 2021. The letter was addressed to the Municipal Electoral Office via Municipal Manager Moppo Mene and Electoral Project Coordinator Vuyo Ponoshe.
McConnachie has also called for the reinstatement of a Council seat that went missing after the 2011 local government elections.
Won by an earlier iteration of MIND, the seat was occupied by a councillor who then crossed the floor to the ANC. When the party dissolved itself, the municipal manager at the time failed to declare a vacancy and so the 27-seat status quo has remained.
Now, McConnachie says the 2021 MIND grouping would have a ward seat (Ward 13) if the votes at Salem had been correctly recorded and the 28th seat had been reinstated.
“MIND objects to the allocation of only 27 seats (14 ward + 13 PR) on the Makana Local Council whereas the correct allocation should be 28 seats (14 ward + 14 PR) and MIND believes that if the votes cast for MIND at the Salem Land Club Voting District 10330052 are correctly calculated and declared and if the correct number of 28 seats is allocated on the Makana Local Council, it will result in the additional seat being allocated to MIND.”
Police confirmed that a case had been opened at the Grahamstown Police Station.
“The SAPS can confirm that a case of fraud was opened on Wednesday, 3 November 2021, after the allegation of vote rigging at the Salem voting district in Makana,” national spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said. “At this stage, there have been no arrests and the investigation is continuing.”
The IEC’s Eastern Cape spokesperson Julie Stanworth said she would be able to respond to the query on Monday.
An analysis of vote counts in the Makana Municipality reveals at least three remarkable changes in the state of local politics.
The first, and arguably most extraordinary change, is the advent of the Makana Citizens Front (MCF) and its powerful surge throughout the 14 wards of the municipal area.
Local observers believed the MCF could do well in traditional DA strongholds and this indeed proved the case. The MCF had its highest levels of support in the only two wards where the DA candidates won – Wards 4 and 8.
In Ward 4 the MCF secured 31,62% and in Ward 8 it received 28,22% of votes. The MCF clearly swallowed large chunks of DA support and put historically safe seats in jeopardy.
It was not anticipated however, how well the MCF would do in traditional ANC wards. In some of these seemingly impregnable wards, the ANC saw its support plummet from the heights of 70-80% in previous elections to 50-60% levels in 2021.
Previously, if the ANC showed any vulnerability in its traditional strongholds, it feared populist discontent leaning towards the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The MCF surge effectively held the EFF in check.
The MCF’s even spread of support is astonishing as the only areas where the new kid on the block did not put in a significant showing was in the rural wards.
The second recalibration of power structures in Makana is a result of the precipitous drop in the number of people who voted for the ANC. The incumbent party still won 11 of the 14 wards and secured enough votes to add three more proportional representation (PR) seats to its caucus of Councillors – but now its majority in Council is as thin as it gets.
The ANC will have 14 out of 27 Councillors when Council reconvenes and will have to think carefully before putting any matters to the vote. Previously the ANC with twenty seats enjoyed a sizeable majority in Council and could comfortably disregard any objections from the opposition.
The third remarkable feature of Monday’s election was the massive drop in the number of DA voters. It lost support in all wards in Makana. In some wards the nosedives were shocking: in Ward 12 it crashed 51,45 percentage points and in ward 4 the loss was 28,82 points.
In large areas of Makana, the DA has ceased to be relevant to voters. The MCF took support from all parties, but it hurt the DA the most.
Numbers, comment and short analysis of ward by ward final results in the 1 November 2021 local government election in Makhanda shared here, with permission, from Steven Lang’s Twitter feed @PoliticalBent
#ElectionResults2021 for Ward 5 in #Makana Municipality the ANC a massive win. Interesting result is that MIND got more support than the EFF and DA combined
WARD 5 ANC CANDIDATE: Gcobisa Mene
(MCF: Zongezile Tsotsa; MIND: Chris Bower; DA: Mohammed Ullah; EFF: Nolutando Buwa)
#MakanaWard 6#ElectionResults2021 The ANC won the ward with almost precisely the same result that it had in 2016. The MCF gobbled up most of the votes cast for an independent in 2016. The EFF took a few extra votes.
In #MakanaWard 7 the ANC dropped almost 20 percentage points in its support and the DA lost about half its support. The MCF notched up yet another big gain.
WARD 7 ANC CANDIDATE: Lunga Masinda
(MCF: Xolelwa DOnyeli; EFF: Anele Gacula; DA: Xolani Madyo)
#ElectionResults2021 in #MakanaWard 8 confirm the DA’s Cary Clark as Councillor to replace B Jackson of the same party. The MCF’s Nuthu Blow came in 2nd with a creditable 28%
Ward 7 in the Makana Municipality was the first ward to release full results. It has a registered population of 1,525 voters – but only 598 turned out to vote. This means that the voter turnout for the ward was just a shade under 40%.
#ElectionResults2021 in #MakanaWard 9 – The ANC lost a huge part of its support to the MCF but it still won the ward by a comfortable margin. This is one of the few wards where the EFF lost support too.
WARD 9 ANC CANDIDATE: Thozamile Yaka
(EFF: Anelisa Bentele; MCF: Zwelethemba Yaka; DA: Luvuyo Sizani)
#ElectionResults2021 in #MakanaWard 10 – The ANC won the seat even though it lost a large proportion of its support. The MCF took almost a quarter of the votes in the ward and the DA has become almost irrelevant in the ward.
WARD 10 ANC CANDIDATE: Zodwa Cetu
(MCF: Mxolisi Ntshiba; EFF: Lusanda Boma; DA: Xolani Madyo)
#ElectionResults2021 in #MakanaWard 11 show the ANC holding on to a reduced majority while the MCF made significant inroads into the share of other parties.
WARD 11 ANC CANDIDATE: Sakhiwe Zono
(MCF: Thandisizwe Matebese; EFF: Thembela Gqasana; DA: Thandisizwe Dudu)
#ElectionResults2021 in #MakanaWard 12 dominated by Rhodes University produced a narrow victory for the ANC’s Mzobanzi Nkwentsha. The MCF and EFF candidates followed closely behind.
WARD 12 ANC CANDIDATE: Mzobansi Nkwentsha
(MCF: Xabisa Bodla; EFF: Thulani Tshabalala; DA: Tiego Thotse)
WARD 13 RESULTS (IEC RESULTS DASHBOARD)
WARD 13 ANC CANDIDATE: Wandisile Matina (MCF: Milo Geelbooi; DA: Brian Jackson)
#ElectionResults2021 from Ward 14 in #Makana show massive drop in support for the ANC and the DA. An independent candidate received almost a quarter of the votes.
#MakanaWard 14 #ElectionResults2021 The Independent Candidate, Vuyani Nesi won the Ward seat with 40,45% or 724 votes. The ANC had the most PR votes with 49,54 or 650 votes. Nesi received 721 votes in the Alicedale Town Hall voting district, No. 1004001 Reply
#Turnout figures for all wards in #Makana#ElectionResults2021 Ward 12 (students) had the lowest turnout while the largely rural Ward 14 had the highest percentage turnout in the municipality
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 14 READ RESPONSES FROM Siyabonga Bashe, Economic Freedom Fighters Theo Bruintjies, Democratic Alliance Andrew Kirk, Makana Independent New Deal Brendon Klaase, Patriotic Alliance Nosicelo Mnana-Kolweni, Makana Citizens Front Vuyani Nesi, Independent RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED Mkhuseli Antoni, African National Congress WILL NOT BE RESPONDING Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus
SIYABONGA BASHE. EFF
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? * Community – Provision of essential services such as health and safety. * Game reserves: To expand conservation and tourism * Farmers: To improve infrastructure development and create viable agricultural projects that will further contribute to youth development.
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government? * Community – health, clinic and ambulance , 24 hours service clinics, 24 hours service in Seven Fountains police station. * Game reserves: more activities ties to attract tourists, townships and village Tours. This will help to put the community on the map and create more jobs. * Farmers: make use of communal land, CPA make sure they distribute the land accordingly so that people can access to work the land especially the youth. Increase in education and more programs giving support to crèches, as well as the development of a green economy.
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years? The incoming EFF councillor will be available 24/7 to all stakeholders and the activities happening in the ward from planning to execution and sustainability e.g monthly meetings.
THEO BRUINTJIES, DA
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? * Build quality roads that can track investment into Alicedale because it’s tourism ward to boost the economy of the town * Invest in municipal infrastructure * Drinkable water in all our taps
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government? * As part of budgeting process, develop an annual roads maintenance plan that clearly identifies and prioritize road for upgrades and repairs * Establish a dialogue with rural communities to facilitate and implement rural road maintenance * Ensure a rapid turnaround of pothole repairs :72 hours from reporting to repair * Play to Alicedale’s strengths: – Railway line through Alicedale – Beyond Adventure – 5 star hotels at Shamwari – Pumba Partnerships with them for job opportunities and a development programme to provide technical skills for unemployed youth. * Identify problem areas eg sewers that overflow and make sure they get fixed. * Create a dedicated team in Alicedale to fix streetlights and mast lights. * Identify and prioritise dark areas. * Ensure our municipal fleet is capable of doing its job eg [TLB], bakkie and tractors. * Clamp down on cable theft. * Ensure monthly water quality testing and public reporting. * Implement a comprehensive water communication strategy. * Roll out a rain harvesting strategy for all municipal buildings and RDP housing. * Research and develop waste water recycling in Alicedale and other ward 14 areas for waste water treatment works. * Engage with EC Provincial government to develop and implement a regional water master plan to alleviate drought and water shortages.
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years? * I will listen, action and report back on all issues to the residents * We will establish a listening forum in each ward, where residents Wil have the opportunity to present their concerns * We will also establish community communications groups to give municipal information * Quarterly report back sessions Wil be held in ward 14 * We will make sure all municipal public participation processes are conducted lawfully * The DA gets things done
ANDREW KIRK, 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.
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.
BRENDON KLAASE, PA
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? * Housing * Youth development and Job Creation * Service Delivery
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government? I will make 100% sure [I am familiar with] the mechanisms and platforms available, so I use them to the best of my ability and make sure issues are sorted out.
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years? First I will make sure that my number is available to the community for them to reach me at any time, then I will make sure i have a healthy relationship with the communities and involve them as I cannot do it on my own but “WE” can do it together. My belief is that there is no “I can do it”, but “WE” can do it.
1 What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? (a) Vacant buildings that should be utilised for youth centres, skills centres, internet cafes, such as Bushman Sands offices. (b) Transparency on all projects, contracts and financial transactions (c) Prioritise tarring road between Alicedale and Makhanda.
2 How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government? * Writing a letter to Department of Labour for assistance in utilising the vacant buildings so that we can have, SASSA, Home Affairs, Dep of Labour. In that way I will be creating better employment for the youth of the community and the aged who have to travel bad roads and pay a lot of money just to receive services from those departments. * Do investigation as to what happened to projects where millions were allocated and today none of those programmes are operational. Whoever is responsible for stealing the money that was meant for Alicedale development should account and take responsibility – in fact go and rot in jail. * Call monthly meetings for the community so that we can work together so that there can be accountability in decision making and public ownership.
3 How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next 5 years? * Set clear project objectives * Election of ward committee should be beneficial to community * Seek to understand before I am understood * Lead with integrity * Engage stakeholders and call in for regular meetings (effective communication)
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? Human Settlement, Water & Sanitation, Employment.
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government? * Make sure that the municipality allocates land [and installs] infrastructure in order for Human Settlements to be able to build housing. Installation of boreholes for the underground water, because of the drought we are experiencing around the ward. Make sure that all the leaking taps and pipes are repaired at all times to save water. Blocked drains and sewers maintained to prevent health risks. * Provide skills development to all people irrespective of gender, age & race in order to have a sustainable job opportunity & self employment. Establish cooperatives in different kind of fields like construction, farming, entrepreneurship etc, in order for them to have their own income
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years? I will always make sure that I report to them about the progress made according to the issues of interest. Implementation & accountability is the most critical way of communication with the stake holders
MANIFESTO OF WARD 14 INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE VUYANI NESI
1.BASIC SERVICE DELIVERY (a) Water& Sanitation – Provide access to clean water for consumption to all – Water to be supplied to all households through the taps on daily basis – Community to be informed in advance when there is gonna be a disruption in supplying of water – An alternative arrangements be made in cases when water won’t be supplied through taps, such as water delivery truck fill up water tanks that are put in strategic areas so that residence get water at all times- Make sure that all the leaking taps & blocked drainages are fixed, to save water & prevent health risks (b) Refuse removal. – Collection of refuse material or rubbish be done at least once per week. -Provide refuse bags to all households. -Abolish all the illegal dumping sites & make sure that legal sites are cleaned at least once per month for the cleanness of the areas where we live. If there are changes in the schedule, community will be informed in advance. Make sure that the tools of trade like vehicles are available so that such things are attendet to.(c) Electricity -Electrify or installation of electricity to all households especially those newly built RDP houses.All informal settlement householdsin our ward have access to electricity. Highmoust lights & street lights are in good condition at all times to prevent criminal activites, that is to be able to identify wrong doings in our respective areas.
2 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Renovations of pre & post 1994 damaged houses are attendet to. Identification of a land be pegged & infrastructured for the building of new RDP houses, since it has been more than 20 years the building of houses took place in the ward.
3 GRAVE YARDS An alternative land be provided for the burial of deceised persons, since some of the burial places declared full.
4 EMPLOYMENT Provide the residents with necessary skills of their interest like construction, hospitality, entrepreneurship, farming etc, in order to prepare them for job opportunities. Make sure that the hiring of beneficiaries in the EPWP & CWP program are fair to all community members to benefit. Form cooperatives for people to create jobs for themselves. Embark in discussion with private companies around our areas to give our people first priority when there are job opportunities ( especially in game reserves & hospitality industries)
5 COMMUNITY HALLS Renovations of both the Transriviere & KwaNonzwakazi halls are attendet to,since it has been a long time when they where toched by angry protesters of municipal services ( speed up the process)
6 NATIONAL ROAD Tarring of the Alicedale to Grahamstown road be made, since it was said that, it is the second phase to the Alicedale to Port Elizabeth route.
7 ESSENTIAL SERVICES All essential services are provided to the community at all times, like Ambulance & Fire departments. Form CPF( active) to assist SAPS in crime prevention.Labour, Social Development, Justice, Home Affairs, SASSA & other government departments visit our areas at least once per month.
8 MUNICIPAL VACANCIES Make sure that all the municipal vacancies are occupied especially those of the deceased persons.
9 SPORT & RECREATION Sport facilities are maintained & kept in good conditions so that young people embark on activities, to avoid drug abuse and criminal activities especially during week ends. Make sure that parks are safe for kids to play after school & security personnel are hired to gaurd against vandalism of the assets in playground.
MKHUSELI ANTONI, ANC Response not yet received
DEON ELS, VFP Has indicated he will not be responding.
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 13 READ RESPONSES FROM Milo Geelbooi, Makana Citizens Front Andrew Kirk, Makana Independent New Deal Thembinkosi Yanta, Azanian People’s Organisation RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED Wandisile Eric Matina ANC Brian Peter Neville Jackson, DA Siyamthanda Dyantyie, EFF WILL NOT BE RESPONDING Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus
REVEREND MILO GEELBOOI, MCF MANIFESTO:
ANDREW KIRK, 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 the same as those identified for the other urban wards in Makana.
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.
THEMBINKOSI MALCOLM YANTA, AZAPO MANIFESTO FOR WARD 13
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:
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.
SIYAMTHANDA DYANTYIE, EFF Response not yet received
BRIAN PETER NEVILLE JACKSON, DA Response not yet received
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 yet responded are listed at the end. The order for each ward is alphabetical, according to surname.
WARD 12 READ RESPONSES FROM Xabisa Bodla, MCF Ayanda Rachel Kenye-Duma, IND Mzobansi Nkwentsha, ANC Mbulelo Ntlabati, AZAPO Emile Oosthuizen, MIND Phetole Rasekele, IND Tiego Thotse, DA RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED Thulani Tshabalala, EFF WILL NOT BE RESPONDING Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus
XABISA BODLA, MCF
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
* Lack of water & leaking sewage
* Lack of safety and security
* Rape, GBV & Suffering of (NSFAS) students.
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
* Taking concerns to the relevant directorate and council
* Insist on connection of boreholes on campus to the drought relief plant installed on campus with CoGTA funding
* Seek creative ways of employment for the people that rob students to reduce crime.
* Make a follow up with SAPS regarding rape cases & forming focus groups to discuss issues like depression, GBV, rape, etc..
* Help students with their basic needs
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years? By holding meetings with the community to report back and taking into consideration their issues.
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
a) Water – I have a 3 phase proposal that fully addresses the issue for Ward 12 (attached extracts from my manifesto.
b) Work readiness – I propose Entrepreneurship as a means to prepare my constituents for the world of work (attached extracts from my manifesto)
c) Accommodation – majority in my constituency are highly mobile, residing in the ward during the year for studying and/or work. Social Housing Programme offered by Human Settlement Department identified as the most suitable housing program to accommodate this need.
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government? I have attached an audio file where I explain my manifesto proposed solutions for these three points. Listen here:
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years? My constituents can be assured that I will serve them faithfully for the next five years because while I came here to study, I committed myself to the town by bringing my whole family, husband and children, all of them settled in their schools and social circles. I therefore have no plans to leave the area in the next few five or more years. Also, as an Independent Candidate, my loyalty is to my electorate and no one else.
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?
i. Close ties with the constituency:
Constant updates about activities taking place in the municipality. Constitute a diverse skilled Ward Committee. Seek mandate from time to time and give regular, quarterly feedback to residents and stakeholders that exist in our ward. Residents to know that – they may, at any time withdraw their mandate should they feel not represented. AZAPO, made a commitment that should any of its councillors fail in their responsibilities, thay would be recalled. Strengthen existing ties between University and Municipality technocrats in jointly improving services in our ward.
ii. Empower young people:
Explore experiential training opportunities within the municipalities (Makana and Sarah Baartman) and businesses for all young people in these municipalities. Support business start-ups and co-operatives.
iii. Service Delivery:
Ensure that general municipality serves are of good quality, are constantly received and are preserved: Support all University initiatives that are geared towards reduction of energy usage, encourage use of grey water and general recycling activities.
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years? I consider myself as a servant. I have, for the rest of my young and adult life always served those I am with. This ranges from school representative, university student activism and professional expert skills. I represent a Movement with a history of astute, consistent, commitment and fearless leadership – Black Consciousness. Born in this town, having travelled and lived in other parts of the country, I have an opportunity to make Makana great. Greater than how it was when I walked and run around bare feet feeling safe and secured albeit segregated along racial lines.
EMILE OOSTHUIZEN, 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.”
Ward 12 is an exclusively Rhodes University ward. The university is the most important component of the local economy and students are very important stakeholders of the local economy and of the Makana Municipality. I do not have a hierarchy of specific aims for Ward 12. As the Ward 12 councillor my main responsibility would be as an interface between the university and the local administration and to represent the interests of the university and of students insofar as they are impacted by the provision of municipal services, particularly those who live off campus. The University is directly involved in initiatives to find ways to fix the Makana Municipality, such as the Makana Circle of Unity. As the Ward 12 Councillor I will serve as an important link between the city council and the Circle of Unity to assist in making the initiative a success. I will also involve myself with the local business forum to represent the interests of students as local consumers and I will liaise closely with the Oppidan Union to improve the relationship between students and local landlords and to prevent exploitation of the student rental market. Ultimately, my aim as the councillor for Ward 12 will be to ensure that the relationship between the University and the local authority is a mutually beneficial one and that the experience of students as temporary residents of the city is a positive one.
PHETOLE MARIUS RASEKELE, IND
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
The three most pertinent issues I plan to address are water availability and quality; job creation; creation and promotion of entrepreneurship; safety and security.
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
I plan to address the water situation in my ward by establishing a filtered water depot that is free to use. This is to enable people to have access to drinkable water. I also plan to use my access at the Municipality to encourage entrepreneurship so that we create employment to the people of Ward 12. I go at length at how I plan to address each issue in my manifesto. The manifesto is attached below
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?
Firstly, I ran as an independent to ensure I work for the Ward 12 residents and no one else. There will be no political influence in how I deal with issues of the ward. Secondly, I have no campaign funding from external sources so Ward 12 residents can rest assured there will be no outside pressure for me to deviate from the plans I have for them.
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? Number 1: You told us that you are tired of living without clean running water on your taps. We listened, and here’s our offer:
As the Democratic Alliance, once elected to take over Makana Municipality, we will:
1. Ensure monthly water quality testing and public reporting of results.
2. Implement a comprehensive water communication strategy to drive water saving by residents and business.
3. Roll out a rain water harvesting strategy for all municipal buildings.
4. Enforce a municipal by-law requiring all new builds to have rain water tanks and gutters.
5. Research and develop waste water recycling at the Makhanda waste water treatment works.
6. Engage the EC provincial government to develop and implement a regional water master plan to alleviate drought and water shortages.
7. Address maintenance issues at pump stations and water treatment works by implementing a proper maintenance plan.
Number 2: You told us that you do not feel safe walking on dark streets, dark streets as a result of the current municipal administration’s failure to regularly service municipal lights on and off campus.
We will fix this!
As Ward Councillor, I will work very closely with Rhodes University’s Campus Protection Unit to identify dysfunctional lights on campus and surrounding areas and ensure they are fixed and regularly serviced!
Student’s safety is of apex importance to us, which is why DASO under my leadership, drove the safety campaign that led Rhodes University to returning to printing emergency contact details behind student cards (so students always have access to the numbers in time of emergency ), pushed for the university to check the functionality of all panic buttons on campus on a weekly basis, tried getting the university to covert the Campus Protection Unit number into a toll free number (out of understanding that students do not always have airtime, yet may find themselves stranded and in need of help anytime) and pushed for the university to increase security personnel and lighting on campus.
Number 3: You told us that you do not feel like your voice matters in this municipality.
Your voice as a services and rates payer in this municipality absolutely matters! I will as a Councillor listen, action and report back to you on all issues you bring forth.
Furthermore, we will establish a listening ward forum, where all Ward 12 students and residents will have the opportunity to present their concerns.
As part of our community communications, we will establish and administer a Ward-12-based Whatsapp broadcast group to disseminate municipal information.
Stakeholders in this ward can be sure that I will work in their interests for the next five in that I have always done so. From when I served as DASO Chairperson, to when I served at Media Officer for HEAIDS at Rhodes, the peoples interests always came first, and will always come first. This is what servant-leadership is all about.
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 11 READ RESPONSES FROM Thembela Gqasana, EFF Thandisizwe Matebese, MCF Pikisile Eric Zondani, AZAPO RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED Thandisizwe Dudu, DA Vuyolwethu Pongolo, ATM Mcebisi Nicholas Tonyela, IND Sakhiwo Zono, ANC WILL NOT BE RESPONDING Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus
THEMBELA GQASANA, EFF
The role of the Municipality is delivery of basic services such as rubbish collection, fixing inside and access roads, street lights, and enforcement of by-laws amongst others. But responding to your questions:
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? a) Houses (at eThembeni, Khayelisha and 24 Sites),
b) Water Tanks (installation of Jojo Tanks through out the Ward), and
c) Jobs (employ Ward 11 contractors who will employ Ward 11 people to deliver the above mentioned projects).
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
The second question will be addressed by utilizing infrastructural grants from both National i.e. MIG and others, and Provincial Budget for houses, sanitation and water, be specifically used for the purposes they’re are required for, instead of utilizing them for unbudgeted programs like overtime, salaries, and so forth. So as councillors, our role is not to interfere, but that of oversight, making sure we hold management accountable, and it’s our duty as well to be accountable to the people we represent as the public representatives.
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?
The stakeholders in this Ward will become part and parcel of decision making here at Ward 11. The role and duty of a councillor is to consult the people through public meetings and area meetings that should be convened by both the Ward Councillor and Ward Committees radularly. We have been convening community meetings before and throughout the campaign, and that should continue after the Elections.
Secondly, Ward Councillor should establish stakeholders forum i.e. (Business, Disabled people, unemployed people, youth, Land and agriculture, unemployed graduates, mining, anti-crime, sports and culture etc.) Where they meet and discuss their programs, this will assist the municipality to come with programs that talks to the needs of people on the ground.
Lastly, EFF Ward Councillors will be available to their community 24/7, and working with both Stakeholders Forum and Ward Committees, they should be able to know every challenge that the community is facing. And should therefore work with the community to resolve those challenges.
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 leaks, 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 programmes 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 these are non-existent and encourage them to register their business / co-operatives.
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 10 READ RESPONSES FROM Sigidla Ndumo, MIND Mxolisi Patrick Ntshiba, MCF Xolani Madyo, DA Ayanda Orick Tshetu, AZAPO RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED Lusanda Boma, EFF Zodwa Cetu, ANC Nondumiso Veto, ATM WILL NOT BE RESPONDING Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus
SIGIDLA NDUMO, 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.”
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.
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?
* Clean and properly maintained roads.
* A clinic system which is able to meet the growing needs of the people, with enough well trained and caring staff.
* Reliable supplies of water and electricity at prices that people can pay.
* An efficient sewerage reticulation system.
* Safe streets properly, properly policed by visible policing and a rapid response police force based with a station close to the community.
* Recreational facilities, both indoor and outdoor, providing a healthy and properly supervised serviced to the young people.
* Creating a peaceful and well educated community in which businesses can grow and jobs can be created.
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?
Xolani Madyo is fully committed to the struggle to achieve all those goals for the people of Makana , and to enable my son to grow up in a just, free and safe society.My daily work brings me into contact with human suffering and needy people as assist them with their problems with municipal accounts.I did not demand party cards or support for my party in return for assistance.
A vote for Xolani Madyo and the local DA team is vote for better local for government for reliabe services and other essential municipal services. It is a vote for people concerned about the people and progress of Makana, not for their personal political careers. It is a vote for the best available people to do a very important job for you.
Why vote DA? Local government is about local matters.
AYANDA ORICK TSHETU, 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.
LUSANDA BOMA, EFF Response not yet received
ZODWA CETU, ANC Response not yet received
NONDUMISO VENUS VETO, ATM Response not yet received
DEON ELS, VFP Deon Els has indicated he will not be responding.
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 9 READ RESPONSES FROM Melubakho Ncwadi, AZAPO Luvuyo Sizani, DA Zwelethemba Justice Yaka, MCF RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED Anelisa Bentele, EFF Thozamile Yaka, ANC WILL NOT BE RESPONDING Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus
MELUBAKHO MELFORD NCWADI, AZAPO 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:
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.
LUVUYO RODNEY SIZANI, DA
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
Roads
Water
Illegal dumping
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government? • Submit Motions to Council and complaining to relevant directorates.
• Conduct oversight visits to departments of the municipality.
• Set up a communication platform for complaints – recording responses and progress.
ZWELETHEMBA JUSTICE YAKA, MCF
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent?
1. High rate of unemployed youth.
(a) Youth to be trained for skills.
(b) Availability of funds to open their business where they stay.
(c) Jobs have to be prioritised to skilled locals
2 . Tarring of roads.
(a) We have seen that gravel roads are not a solution.
(b) There are roads that are so bad that emergency vehicles or ambulances cannot go through.
(c) Rresidents have to ferry the sick to where the ambulance is.
3. Water crisis.
(a) Water is life and dams must be maintained by people who are qualified.
(b) There must be reserves in times of crisis and all the leaks should be a priority.
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
Identifying the responsible portfolio for specific issues, directing questions and ensuring that they are followed up to resolution. Working with others both inside and outside council to seek solutions.
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?
I would ensure that planned meetings with the community and other stakeholders take place on a monthly basis. To listen and give feedback on actions taken.
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 8 READ RESPONSES FROM Ntuthu Blow, MCF Cary Clark, DA Jock McConnachie, MIND Phakamisa Zatu, AZAPO RESPONSES NOT YET RECEIVED Thumeka Kwezi, ATM Ruben Ngxesha, ANC Xolisa Pinini, EFF WILL NOT BE RESPONDING Deon Els, Vryheidsfront-Plus
NTUTHU BLOW, MCF
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? My approach as councillor would be to meet with ward residents and establish what their needs are. I feel that this is line with a citizen’s movement. Building on an overall view as MRA Office Manager [2017 – ongoing]. I anticipate applying myself to issues such as: –
1 Governance
Updating outdated by-laws and ensuring municipal compliance with new by-laws;
2 Safety
Ongoing pothole repair. In the interests of public safety active follow through until completion while infrastructure projects are underway;
3 Finance
Providing accurate municipal bills. Immediately;
but also
4 Health
In the form of refuse removal, clamping down on illegal dumps and ensuring rapid responses to sewerage spills and water leaks.
5 Communication
Assurance that there will be clear communication in terms of the water crisis, the upgrade of the water works plant, transparency and accountability in the tender processes.
Overall improvement in communication, a functioning customer care system and meaningful public participation.
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
By establishing and learning what legal power/ discretion and limitations you have as a councillor and utilising these powers to conduct direct action.
3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?
I would be bound by the Makana Citizens Front [MCF] code of conduct that explicitly tells me that I am there to represent the interests of the voters and that if I am not committed to it, they have a right to recall.
Most importantly, my constituents will have access to this document, so that they are aware of its contents. Thus creating a ground-up contract.
1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? The three 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
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government?
* 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.
JOCK MCCONNACHIE, 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.”
WARD 8 (JOCK McCONNACHIE) comprises the city centre and the residential areas to the south of the city. MIND’s Ward 8 candidate’s top priority is to address urban decay (hazardous roads and pavements; the filthy state of the city centre and adjacent areas; the lack of adequate and hygienic public ablutions; proper provision for & regulated street trading & car guarding; the control of wandering cattle). Virtually the whole of Ward 8 is an official “Conservation Area” and a related priority is that the applicable conservation by-laws must again be properly implemented with a fully functional Aesthetics Committee. A final priority is to revive tourism in Makana as a boost to the local economy. That can only happen if all three Ward 8 priorities receive equal attention and all three are hinged on fixing the problems of the municipality itself.
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.
PHAKAMISA PATRICK ZATU, AZAPO 1. What are the three most important issues for stakeholders based in the ward you hope to represent? ACCOUNTABILITY CORRUPTION SERVICE DELIVERY
2. How do you plan to solve them using the mechanisms and platforms available to a councillor in local government? AND 3. How can stakeholders in this ward be sure that you will work in their interests for the next five years?
For long term AZAPO has [pushed for councillors] to be directly elected. This will make them accountable more to the voters and less to political parties, Secondly, we think Provincial Governments are a waste of financial resources. We would like them to be abolished and we instead have Provincial Administrative Roles. Personnel and finances would then be channeled to local government. We think they are wasteful and largely [composed] along tribal lines.
THUMEKA CORDELIA KWEZI, ATM Response not yet received
RUBEN MBULELO NGXESHA, ANC No response received yet
XOLISA PININI. EFF No response received yet
DEON ELS, VFP Deon Els has indicated he will not be responding.
SmilingSouth 