This week Newcastle Express is joined on the couch by community activist Matthew Shunmugam to learn more about the man who tirelessly works for the betterment of his community.
Newcastle Express (NE): You have been a community activist and politician for decades. Where did it all start?
Matthew Shunmugam (MS): It started as a student at the Springfield College of Education, student boycott of 1981, being involved in sports administration; I was a strong supporter of SACOS. Then entered politics serving for five terms as ward councillor, 1996 (Independent); 2000 (IFP); NADECO (2006); ANC in 2011 and 2016.
NE: What is your present job description?
MS: Business and community activist.
NE: What has it been like working in such an environment?
MS: The political environment is challenging and rewarding when your efforts are appreciated. Definitely the political landscape has changed dramatically from 1996 to the present day. Personally, I think the values of good governance and clean administration has eroded.
NE: What have been the greatest challenges?
MS: Ward 3 and my portfolio committee of Development Planning and Human Settlements have been some very challenging projects and expectations. Ward 3, besides the general service delivery issues, we had challenges of relocating the flood victims of Suryaville, replacement of the asbestos roofing in Ward 3 and 25.
The matters associated with the Suryaville Municipal Flats were equaling challenging especially the formation of a functional body corporate which is not in place to date. The hail damage of 2019 was challenging as it was community driven project were we replaced damaged window panes and sealed roofs as result of the damages suffered as the hail were golf ball size. The project was rolled out free of charge in both Wards 3 and 25, free glass and labour provided, we created a few job opportunities and skill transfer. Housing projects did not even get off the ground when I took over in 2011 however many projects commenced over the ten-year period throughout the length and breadth of Newcastle which includes the low income housing, social housing and community residential units (CRUs)
NE: Some of your achievements in the community and you’re as your role as a politician?
MS: As the first Speaker of Newcastle Local Council I set a very high benchmark in a relatively new post to all Councils. In my ward, there are too many projects to list over the 26-year period, including the pilot project in the country for the chronic medication roll out programme, visited by many other Provinces.
Won the award as the “best performing war room in the District”, transfer of housing units at Fernwood suburb and Suryaville Municipal Flats, AC Pipe Replacement Project to the tune of R18m; relocation of flood victims; re-opening of Draper Street, paving or tarring of many worship sites, creation of parking bays for buses, routine service delivery matters given attention.
NE: Would you say that there still is a lot of work ahead, mores o that it can be challenging to get the community involved and to accept ownership?
MS: Unfortunately, due to the backlog and ageing infra-structure there will be backlogs, it is important that the community although paying rates, gets proactively involved with projects such pothole patching, clean-up campaign, crime fighting, curbing illegal dumping, etc.
NE: Has the political landscape in Newcastle changed over the years and to what extent?
MS: It has changed due to a number of factors including limited service delivery, plagued by sewer problems, does not have the competitive edge of other towns to create an enabling environment for investment, coupled with high tariffs, etc.
NE: Are you completely retired from official politics, or do you think there is a chance of your returning to council?
MS: The Chairperson of the Newcastle Residents Forum (NRF) have given off my time for the past three years after retirement, sometimes it feels like I have never retired as I am inundated with complaints. We have addressed matters with various Government Departments, Human Rights Commission, Council, etc. Chances of returning to Council. Everyday there is an outcry to return to Council due to my track record, institutional knowledge and more importantly, placing the community first, despite doing all this on a voluntary basis, giving my time, resources and at my cost with nothing expected in return. Returning to politics would be determined by a number of factors, essentially to work with like-minded time, without any ulterior motives.
NE: One of the questions that we always asked is, why so many service delivery issues? It is not only Newcastle, but many municipalities across KZN, if not the country.
MS: Failure in service delivery is not unique to Newcastle. In most cases it has become a national phenomenal, riddled by poor governance and mal-administration, Another chief fact is the prioritization of budget allocation, too much emphasis on the “nice to have” including huge support staff for political functionaries, funds on VIP security, over time, consultants, more importantly if municipalities cut out the fruitless and wasteful expenditure, it would ensure that funds are redirected to the key priority areas such infrastructural needs and service delivery.
NE: Apart from activism and politics, who is Matthew Shunmugam?
MS: Former principal of Washbank Primary School, education at Suryaville Primary School, a businessman, deeply involved in sports administration as a qualified Physical Education, involved in most codes of sport, now from 1991 passionately involved with angling as its President from 1991 to date and President of the Angling Professional League (APL).
NE: What, or who, has been your inspiration?
MS: I have always admired Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman of the Gift of the Givers, the work done by his team is inspirational and worthy of emulation.
NE: Do you have time to relax and recreation? What do you do for it?
MS: Not a movie fan however reality such as Survivor always grips of my attention. I spend most of time watching sports on TV, partially any code of sport.
