At last, after the most turbulent local government elections since the dawn of democracy, our eThekwini Municipality is once again under the control of the ANC but as a coalition local government, like many others in the country.
This period of uncertainty was characterised by dramatic negotiations, jostling for positions and power and influence within, and allegations of betrayal and sell-outs outside in the public domain by those to be governed. And of course the sudden appearance of leaders unknown in the civic arena added to the drama.
Indeed, the four days just before the setting up of the major municipalities in the country has been aptly described by a political columnist as the strangest four days in politics. The re-election of Mxolisi Kaunda as mayor was cause for celebration for his supporters but many recalled that under his short two-year term of office no significant, if any, improvement in service delivery which had already plummeted to low levels even before his arrival from the provincial legislature where he was known for his commitment as public servant, had been effected.
Perhaps the factional divisions within his mayoral cabinet, amongst others, militated against his succeeding in resolving some of the longstanding issues he had promised to give priority to. The last-minute sudden appearance of a former ANC member and presently leader of Abantu Batho Congress (ABC), Philani Mavundhla, and his election as Deputy Mayor added to the drama when the curtains closed. He claimed that he threw in his lot with the ANC in the best interest of the people of eThekwini. Interestingly, our mayor immediately after his re-election pledged to remove the lazy officials in the municipality and recommitted himself to clean governance. Hopefully, together with Mayor Kaunda, Mavundhla will be able to change things around.
Perhaps as a start they should focus their attention on the eradication of corruption, proper management of funds, overseeing at all levels of work, ensuring that errant and negligent officials – the lack of all of which, amongst others, contributed to poor or absence of service delivery. Immediate intervention is necessary in the well known underperforming water and sanitation, parks, cemeteries and recreation and electricity departments.
While there are many viewpoints and much debating about the future of power-sharing coalition municipalities, it is a reality – and the outcome of democratic elections in which those who are to be governed, the real victims of poor service delivery, have spoken. On the positive side, assurances given by the State President as well as heads of the various political parties that effective service delivery in all the municipalities will be prioritised, augurs well for the future. The planned training and workshops for councillors by all parties is also a positive. The DA’s proposed workshops for council officials in the administration section should be the norm for municipal councils.
All in all, there seems to be light, a dim light, at the end of a long tunnel. Finally, properly functioning local government, as have been promised by all governing parties will contribute to
the well-being of the governed yearning for a safe, clean and healthy environment and will certainly enhance democracy as a whole.
Syd Suknunun Durban
