The ACDP would firstly like to congratulate Dr Gwen Ramokgopa on her
first year in office. As we said during the recent debate on the
“No Confidence” motion tabled by the DA, we believe she has
done a good job so far. She has many challenges ahead and we
trust that she will make wise decisions as we together strive to make
this city the “Leading African Capital City of excellence that
empowers the community to prosper in a safe and healthy
environment.”
We find the Mayor’s speech fair and balanced. She mentions
achievements, and at the same time acknowledges challenges ahead.
The first step to addressing a problem is to admit it is indeed a
problem.
We agree with her that we should rejoice in the political freedom that
our nation has enjoyed since 1994. We rejoice together in the
miracle of a peaceful transition from the previous dispensation to our
new democracy. What we witnessed here in this City – the
Capital City – on 11 May 1994 when ex President Mandela was
inaugurated still rings fresh in my mind. The generals of the
previous government were saluting their new President! There was
peace, and we all looked forward to building a new South Africa where
respect for the individual; irrespective of race, gender, language or
religion would be a cornerstone of the nation. He said, and I
quote “We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the
continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other
discrimination.” and “We must therefore act together as a
united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for
the birth of a new world.”
It is this sentiment - as expressed by perhaps the greatest statesman
of our time - that the ACDP would like to see further instilled in our
nation and in our city. We need to work harder to really achieve
reconciliation and national unity, Mr. Speaker.
We are therefore concerned that the first issue mentioned by the Mayor
was “institutional transformation”. We accept the
policies of Affirmative Action and BEE to correct the imbalances of the
past – as long as it has a sunset clause, and as long as it
doesn’t hamper service delivery. Unfortunately, the Tshwane
Metro has lost many skills due to the over-hasty implementation of
transformation. It is also a fact that Service Delivery has
suffered and is not nearly at the levels that our residents expect and
deserve. We cannot afford to lose more skills and we simply have
to retain those valued employees of all racial groups who have the
skills to deliver sustainable services to our communities.
We should also bring back those with the necessary skills to help us take the City forward.
Mr. Speaker, we urge the Mayor to be very careful when she selects the
next Municipal Manager. She should top the list of qualifying
criteria with capability, relevant experience, suitable qualifications,
and integrity. This is a crucial decision and should be taken
with much thought and wisdom.
On the positive side, the ACDP is happy to hear that the Mayor intends
focusing on combating crime. The ACDP leader – Rev. Kenneth
Meshoe – said during this year’s State of the Nation Debate
in Parliament, and I quote “If violent crime remains as high as
it is today, then programmes that promote growth of small and medium
sectors will fail; an enabling environment that encourages investment
will not be created, and without new investments, poverty alleviation
will be stifled.” Although combating crime is a National
responsibility, we welcome the addition of 350 posts to the Metro
Police Force. We as a local authority are doing what we can to
assist the SAPS in their difficult task.
The ACDP would also like to use this opportunity to express our
heartfelt condolences to the family of little Sheldean Human, who was
so brutally und unnecessarily murdered. We will continue to pray
that the Lord Himself will be your refuge and peace.
We further commend the Mayor for her intention to strengthen
partnerships with all sectors of the community, to address the poor
customer service, and billing system problems. We trust that the
55 full time customer care centre posts that have been filled will go a
long way to ensure that our people get the service they deserve.
Let’s also trust that the interventions she mentions w.r.t. the
debtor problems will bear fruit. This one is very easy to
measure. We will continue to keep a close eye on the outstanding
debtors figure to see whether she can turn the culture of non payment
around and implement the debt collection policy in a fair way to all
clients – those in the suburbs, as well as those in the townships.
Finally, we urge all Political Parties to work together for the good of all our residents.
I thank you
Richard Dinkelmann (Councillor)
ACDP Caucus Leader
+27 83 263 2664