A meeting to discuss the formation of a broader KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Civic Movement group was held by representatives of resident and ratepayer associations (RRAs) as well as civic organisations from around the province, recently.
The aim of forming a provincial-wide civic movement is to deal with poor service delivery in various communities and to present a united front in battle for quality living conditions. The chairperson of the Phoenix Civic Movement (PCM), Vivian Pillay attended the meeting with vice chairperson, Alice Govender.
Pillay said this was the first physical meeting of the group, but that all associations and organisations are part of a WhatsApp group where they are able to share their challenges and successes.
“At the meeting, it was agreed to formalise the group into the KZN Civic Movement that will comprise of all resident and ratepayer associations and civic organisations throughout KZN. The formation of this movement is an initiative for residents throughout KZN who are completely frustrated and disillusioned by the failures of municipalities in the province. We find that residents are having to step in to do the work that municipalities are supposed to do but are not doing. The formation of the civic movement is uniting all residents in KZN and is truly representative of all residents who are united to save their cities and towns,” said Pillay.
To date, there are 18 RRAs and civic organisations that have formed an informal group to provide support and to learn from each other. The KZN RRA and civics group represents residents from across the province including Pietermaritzburg, eThekwini, inland, north and south coasts. This also includes the eThekwini RRA which is an umbrella body of 50 RRAs and civic organisations.
The president of the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA) and chairperson of Reservoir Hills Ratepayer and Residents Association (RHRRA), Ish Pradhladh said: “Infrastructure and service delivery is failing, tenders being allocated at inflated prices, jobs for pals. Now is the time for residents to take the bull by the horns and to hold our municipalities accountable. It’s our money and we have the right to service delivery.”
The Tongaat Ratepayer Association members who attended the meeting were extremely motivated and committed to working towards a united movement. “We are a newly formed association, and we feel extremely privileged to belong to an umbrella body with such vast experience and knowledge that would make us a success in our communities,” said Jay Lovey Govender, secretary of Tongaat Ratepayer Association.
Craig Millar from the Hilton Resident and Ratepayer Association said: “It’s important for our civic bodies to work together to improve delivery of services to all residents and ratepayers. By pooling resources and working together we can achieve more, and we welcome the formation of a body that can help coordinate our activities and plan strategically.”
Pillay said all resident and ratepayer associations and civic organisations that are part of the KZN RRA and Civics group are independent, non-political, and legally constituted RRAs and civic organisations. “The KZN RRA and Civics group is calling on all resident and ratepayer associations and civic organisations throughout KZN to join the KZN Civic Movement to fight against the high levels of corruption, poor service delivery and incompetencies at municipalities,” he added.
The KZN Civic Movement consists of Phoenix Civic Movement, Redfern RRA, in Phoenix, Asherville RPO, Avoca, Effingham and Greenwood Park RRA, Bluff RRA, Chelmsford Heights Civic Association in Tongaat, Desinagaar RRA, Dolphin Coast RRA, Durban North RRA, Duffs Road Civic Association, Ethekweni RRA, Glenhills RRA, Hilton RRA, Kokstad RRA, La Mercy Civic and Ratepayer Association, Lincoln Meade RRA – PMB, Pennington RRA, Reservoir Hills RRA, Seatides Ratepayers and Civic Association, Tongaat RRA, Westbrook RRA and Zinkwazi Beach RRA.
Resident and ratepayer associations and civic organisations who wish to join the KZN Civic Movement are urged to contact Anthony Waldhausen on 072 536 2978 or alternatively email: info@marrc.org.za
