In the light of recent calls for a local rates boycott, it is fitting to take note of the views of Clr. Nico Botha which he articulated in a newsletter to Ward 3 residents on 15 December 2009.
He expressed solidarity with local ratepayers who are extremely angry because they believe that the Kouga Municipality is riddled with mismanagement, nepotism, corruption, and inefficiency, not to speak of the perception that their rates are being squandered at such a rate that the municipality is heading for a financial crisis.
He wrote, “However, one must ask oneself: are our streets beyond repair; is our refuse and sewage removal nonexistent; is our electricity and water supply unreliable? Besides, how many ratepayers would be prepared to support a rates boycott? How certain are we that a court of law will agree that a boycott is justified? Can we afford prolonged lawsuits while the municipality uses our rates to fight us?”
Clr. Botha urged dissatisfied ratepayers to be aware of the fact that the municipality can take countermeasures against those who withhold their rates and taxes; that they might use payments for service charges to offset rates payments that are in arrears. “If this happens,” he continued, “the financial obligations with regard to water and electricity supply to homeowners could be viewed as being in arrears, with the result that services may be suspended.”
“So, what is the solution?” he asked
In his view, ratepayers should show the municipality that they are dissatisfied by writing letters of protest to local newspapers, and attending protest meetings in greater numbers. They should stand together, march together, and act together.
“Clearly,” he concluded, “unseating the ANC in the 2011 municipal election is the best solution by far.”
29 June, 2010
28 June, 2010
Helen's weekly newsletter - 28 June 2010
The "Thugocrats" that threaten our future
The longer people live in an "open society", the more they tend to take its advantages for granted. So much so, that many of us do not know what the concept means nor understand its significance.
Our constitutional negotiators in the mid 1990s considered the concept of "openness" so important that they include it in the first clause of the first chapter of our Constitution.
It is a sign of the progress we have made that many South Africans today exercise the rights and freedoms of the "open society" without thinking about them. They speak their minds, make their own decisions, and express themselves boldly even if their views run counter to popular opinion. They reserve the right to change their opinions, if new information arises. This culture is the bedrock of democracy, sustainable development and technological progress. It creates opportunities for growing numbers of people, and encourages them to take responsibility for improving their lives.
For those who take this culture for granted, it is sobering to remind ourselves that South Africans who live in our country's "open society" enclaves are probably outnumbered by those who don't. There are millions of South Africans who fear speaking their mind, taking their own decisions, or expressing a view if this contradicts the dominant position of "the collective". Ironically, this "collective" generally consists of a small clique of self-appointed individuals who assume a mantle of legitimacy by describing themselves as "the community".
They set themselves up as "gatekeepers" over all the people living in a defined geographic area, prohibiting any alternate channels of communication, and claiming to represent the "collective will". And they do not hesitate to use intimidation and violence to impose their views. They control resources and manipulate patronage. They use labels to smear any opponent. This is the iron grip of the closed society that throttles democracy, smothers development, and prevents people from using the opportunities available to improve their lives.
Here is just one small example (among very many) that came to my attention in recent weeks.
A few days before Bafana's final match against France, an enterprising woman in an informal settlement, without electricity, decided to make the match accessible to her neighbourhood. She managed to source a generator and a donation of petrol to run it. She sought assistance to hire a small hall. She then began spreading the news of the event. Before long she was visited by a few individuals, who forced her to cancel her plans, because she had not been authorized by "the community" to screen the game. The "community" consisted of a few self-appointed individuals who arrogate to themselves the right to decide what may happen and what may not in the settlement where she lives. They are more accurately described as the local "warlords".
This is not an isolated incident. It is the daily reality for millions of South Africans. I have experienced this autocratic and unconstitutional authoritarianism in countless contexts in the course of my work.
This is a well known phenomenon throughout our continent and one of the main reasons why so many attempted transitions to democracy have failed.
In his excellent book "The Shackled Continent", Robert Guest graphically describes the situation in Mogadishu, Somalia (the ultimate failed state). In Mogadishu, says Guest, nothing happens without the permission of the local warlords, whom he calls "thugocrats". They often exercise their sadistic control over no more than a couple of city blocks, but that ground is their fiefdom. Their tools are intimidation and violence.
A senior employee of a soft-drink company described how difficult it is to distribute the product to the few local shops that still operate in Mogadishu. To enter or pass through any one fiefdom they must first pay the local warlord and his coterie with crates of cooldrink. To get to some shops requires crossing several of these small fiefdoms, paying each time -- otherwise the trucks are hijacked or burnt.
This may be an extreme example. But there is no shortage of "thugocrats" in South Africa. Many well-intentioned people help to tighten their control by facilitating their gatekeeping role, abetting their patronage, and entrenching their power abuse. South Africa's legal and regulatory framework, that requires a great deal of "public participation" also often has the unintended consequence of extending the thugocrats' control, by devolving decisions on the allocation of resources to these self-appointed spokespersons of "the community". Sometimes they are even given fancy titles, such as "community liaison officers", an Orwellian description of people who are more often involved in preventing individuals from expressing divergent opinions. This is the foundation of the "closed, crony society" that results in endemic corruption and eventually, a criminal state.
Recently, this downward spiral took a retrogressive step-change when the SA Human Rights Commission recognized a group of "thugocrats" as the legitimate spokespersons for an entire community -- after this group of bully-boys had intimidated people and destroyed their toilet enclosures against the wishes of the people themselves.
The World Cup has given South Africans a great confidence-boost and a glimpse of what we, as a nation can be. But there is another South Africa just beyond the reach of the fanparks, fanjols and stadiums. It is a South Africa in the grip of feudal authoritarianism. As we celebrate the nation-building of the past four weeks, let us redouble our efforts to include all South Africans in the "nation" envisaged by the founding fathers who crafted our Constitution.
The longer people live in an "open society", the more they tend to take its advantages for granted. So much so, that many of us do not know what the concept means nor understand its significance. Our constitutional negotiators in the mid 1990s considered the concept of "openness" so important that they include it in the first clause of the first chapter of our Constitution.
It is a sign of the progress we have made that many South Africans today exercise the rights and freedoms of the "open society" without thinking about them. They speak their minds, make their own decisions, and express themselves boldly even if their views run counter to popular opinion. They reserve the right to change their opinions, if new information arises. This culture is the bedrock of democracy, sustainable development and technological progress. It creates opportunities for growing numbers of people, and encourages them to take responsibility for improving their lives.
For those who take this culture for granted, it is sobering to remind ourselves that South Africans who live in our country's "open society" enclaves are probably outnumbered by those who don't. There are millions of South Africans who fear speaking their mind, taking their own decisions, or expressing a view if this contradicts the dominant position of "the collective". Ironically, this "collective" generally consists of a small clique of self-appointed individuals who assume a mantle of legitimacy by describing themselves as "the community".
They set themselves up as "gatekeepers" over all the people living in a defined geographic area, prohibiting any alternate channels of communication, and claiming to represent the "collective will". And they do not hesitate to use intimidation and violence to impose their views. They control resources and manipulate patronage. They use labels to smear any opponent. This is the iron grip of the closed society that throttles democracy, smothers development, and prevents people from using the opportunities available to improve their lives.
Here is just one small example (among very many) that came to my attention in recent weeks.
A few days before Bafana's final match against France, an enterprising woman in an informal settlement, without electricity, decided to make the match accessible to her neighbourhood. She managed to source a generator and a donation of petrol to run it. She sought assistance to hire a small hall. She then began spreading the news of the event. Before long she was visited by a few individuals, who forced her to cancel her plans, because she had not been authorized by "the community" to screen the game. The "community" consisted of a few self-appointed individuals who arrogate to themselves the right to decide what may happen and what may not in the settlement where she lives. They are more accurately described as the local "warlords".
This is not an isolated incident. It is the daily reality for millions of South Africans. I have experienced this autocratic and unconstitutional authoritarianism in countless contexts in the course of my work.
This is a well known phenomenon throughout our continent and one of the main reasons why so many attempted transitions to democracy have failed.
In his excellent book "The Shackled Continent", Robert Guest graphically describes the situation in Mogadishu, Somalia (the ultimate failed state). In Mogadishu, says Guest, nothing happens without the permission of the local warlords, whom he calls "thugocrats". They often exercise their sadistic control over no more than a couple of city blocks, but that ground is their fiefdom. Their tools are intimidation and violence.
A senior employee of a soft-drink company described how difficult it is to distribute the product to the few local shops that still operate in Mogadishu. To enter or pass through any one fiefdom they must first pay the local warlord and his coterie with crates of cooldrink. To get to some shops requires crossing several of these small fiefdoms, paying each time -- otherwise the trucks are hijacked or burnt.
This may be an extreme example. But there is no shortage of "thugocrats" in South Africa. Many well-intentioned people help to tighten their control by facilitating their gatekeeping role, abetting their patronage, and entrenching their power abuse. South Africa's legal and regulatory framework, that requires a great deal of "public participation" also often has the unintended consequence of extending the thugocrats' control, by devolving decisions on the allocation of resources to these self-appointed spokespersons of "the community". Sometimes they are even given fancy titles, such as "community liaison officers", an Orwellian description of people who are more often involved in preventing individuals from expressing divergent opinions. This is the foundation of the "closed, crony society" that results in endemic corruption and eventually, a criminal state.
Recently, this downward spiral took a retrogressive step-change when the SA Human Rights Commission recognized a group of "thugocrats" as the legitimate spokespersons for an entire community -- after this group of bully-boys had intimidated people and destroyed their toilet enclosures against the wishes of the people themselves.
The World Cup has given South Africans a great confidence-boost and a glimpse of what we, as a nation can be. But there is another South Africa just beyond the reach of the fanparks, fanjols and stadiums. It is a South Africa in the grip of feudal authoritarianism. As we celebrate the nation-building of the past four weeks, let us redouble our efforts to include all South Africans in the "nation" envisaged by the founding fathers who crafted our Constitution.
24 June, 2010
ANC se taktiek om etiek-hersiening te systap, lyk na blatante politieke uitdaging - 24 Junie 2010
Die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) het die ANC se pogings om die Parlement se bevoegdheid om die gedragsreëls vir openbare verteenwoordigers te herskryf, in die wiele te ry, as ’n blatante daad van politieke uitdaging deur die regerende party beskryf.
Athol Trollip LP, die DA se Parlementêre leier, sê berig in die Sunday Independent dui op ’n groot gebrek aan politieke wil om gehoor te gee aan die aanbevelings van adv. Thuli Madonsela, die Openbare Beskermer. Madonsela het op versoek van die DA ondersoek ingestel na pres. Jacob Zuma se versuim om sy finansiële belange openbaar te maak. Trollip voeg by dit skep ook ernstige vrae oor die ANC se vasberadenheid om die party en staat een te maak, en sy geloof dat sy leiers bo die reg verhewe is.
Trollip sê die aanbevelings in adv. Madonsela se verslag (wat op versoek by die DA te kry is), gaan oor ooglopende teenstrydighede in die Wet op die Etiek van Uitvoerende Lede, en die Etiek-kode vir Uitvoerende Lede. Haar verslag wys daarop dat bykans 40% van die kabinet saam met pres. Zuma versuim het om hul finansiële belange binne 60 dae bekend te maak, en dus ook die Wet oortree het.
Trollip het die ANC gekritiseer en gesê die feit dat byna die helfte van sy lede, en die President self, by skendings van die Etiek-kode betrek word, bring die hoogste besluitnemende gesag in die land in die gedrang.
Trollip sê berigte dat die etiek-hersieningsproses nog verder vertraag is deur ’n besluit van die ANC se Hoofsweep om te wag tot die ANC se Nasionale Hoofraad (NHR) ’n mandaat uitgereik is, is kenmerkend van die regerende party se neiging om die skeidslyn tussen party en staat te verdoesel.
Trollip bevestig dat die DA parlementêre vrae gaan indien om meer inligting te verkry oor lede van die uitvoerende gesag wat die Etiek-kode geskend het. Die DA gaan ook aan die Sekretaris van die Kabinet skryf om vas te stel of stappe gedoen is ten opsigte van die aanbevelings wat die Openbare Beskermer oor die administrasie van die Register van Ledebelange gemaak het.
Athol Trollip LP, die DA se Parlementêre leier, sê berig in die Sunday Independent dui op ’n groot gebrek aan politieke wil om gehoor te gee aan die aanbevelings van adv. Thuli Madonsela, die Openbare Beskermer. Madonsela het op versoek van die DA ondersoek ingestel na pres. Jacob Zuma se versuim om sy finansiële belange openbaar te maak. Trollip voeg by dit skep ook ernstige vrae oor die ANC se vasberadenheid om die party en staat een te maak, en sy geloof dat sy leiers bo die reg verhewe is.
Trollip sê die aanbevelings in adv. Madonsela se verslag (wat op versoek by die DA te kry is), gaan oor ooglopende teenstrydighede in die Wet op die Etiek van Uitvoerende Lede, en die Etiek-kode vir Uitvoerende Lede. Haar verslag wys daarop dat bykans 40% van die kabinet saam met pres. Zuma versuim het om hul finansiële belange binne 60 dae bekend te maak, en dus ook die Wet oortree het.
Trollip het die ANC gekritiseer en gesê die feit dat byna die helfte van sy lede, en die President self, by skendings van die Etiek-kode betrek word, bring die hoogste besluitnemende gesag in die land in die gedrang.
Trollip sê berigte dat die etiek-hersieningsproses nog verder vertraag is deur ’n besluit van die ANC se Hoofsweep om te wag tot die ANC se Nasionale Hoofraad (NHR) ’n mandaat uitgereik is, is kenmerkend van die regerende party se neiging om die skeidslyn tussen party en staat te verdoesel.
Trollip bevestig dat die DA parlementêre vrae gaan indien om meer inligting te verkry oor lede van die uitvoerende gesag wat die Etiek-kode geskend het. Die DA gaan ook aan die Sekretaris van die Kabinet skryf om vas te stel of stappe gedoen is ten opsigte van die aanbevelings wat die Openbare Beskermer oor die administrasie van die Register van Ledebelange gemaak het.
ANC-Jeugliga op die vooraand van Jeugdag gedwing om haatspraak te erken - 24 Junie 2010
In Oktober verlede jaar het die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) ’n klag van haatspraak by die Gelykheidshof ingedien ná mnr. Meeko se openbare verklaring dat prof. Jansen “nes dié rassistiese jong studente aan dié universiteit ’n misdadiger is. Ons stem met die president van die ANC saam: skiet en dood ’n misdadiger, en dis wat ons moet doen, kamerade”, asook dat prof. Jansen “verwyder moet word, en nie net hy nie, die universiteit se raad ook ... hulle moet die Universiteit van die Vrystaat verlaat. Ons moet aan hom sê dat ons veel groter mense as hy in die land verwyder het. Dis nie ’n dreigement nie, dit gaan gebeur.”
Dr. Wilmot James, die DA se skaduminister van hoër onderwys en opleiding, sê die hof se beslissing verlede week beteken dat mnr. Meeko in die openbaar moet erken dat dinge wat hy oor prof. Jonathan Jansen, die vise-kanselier van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat, kwytgeraak het, verkeerd is en as haatspraak uitgelê sou kon word.
James sê dit was die DA se pogings om die saak by die gelykheidshof aanhangig te maak wat ’n beampte van die ANC se Jeugliga gedwing het om te erken dat haatspraak geen plek in Suid-Afrika se samelewing verdien nie.
James verwelkom die hof se beslissing, en sê dit is baie belangrik dat burgers nie roekelose en onverantwoordelike aantygings moet maak nie. Hy voeg by dat die skepping van angstigheid deur ’n dreigement van ophande gevaar die kernomskrywing van haatspraak is. Dit moet nie in ’n demokratiese samelewing soos ons s’n verduur word nie, sê hy.
James het gesê dat 16 Junie, wat elke jaar as Jeugdag gevier word, die regte oomblik is om weer Madiba se beroep vir gelykheid, uitnemendheid en diens te herhaal.
Dr. Wilmot James, die DA se skaduminister van hoër onderwys en opleiding, sê die hof se beslissing verlede week beteken dat mnr. Meeko in die openbaar moet erken dat dinge wat hy oor prof. Jonathan Jansen, die vise-kanselier van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat, kwytgeraak het, verkeerd is en as haatspraak uitgelê sou kon word.
James sê dit was die DA se pogings om die saak by die gelykheidshof aanhangig te maak wat ’n beampte van die ANC se Jeugliga gedwing het om te erken dat haatspraak geen plek in Suid-Afrika se samelewing verdien nie.
James verwelkom die hof se beslissing, en sê dit is baie belangrik dat burgers nie roekelose en onverantwoordelike aantygings moet maak nie. Hy voeg by dat die skepping van angstigheid deur ’n dreigement van ophande gevaar die kernomskrywing van haatspraak is. Dit moet nie in ’n demokratiese samelewing soos ons s’n verduur word nie, sê hy.
James het gesê dat 16 Junie, wat elke jaar as Jeugdag gevier word, die regte oomblik is om weer Madiba se beroep vir gelykheid, uitnemendheid en diens te herhaal.
21 June, 2010
Helen's weekly newsletter - 21 June 2010
Learning the Real Lessons of the World Cup Our defeat to Uruguay on Wednesday was a blow. We will need a miracle - in the form of a big win against France on Tuesday - to stand a chance of progressing to the knock-out stages. Bafana Bafana need our support now more than ever. And we will stand firm. We are not fair-weather fans.
South Africans know that miracles have nothing to do with magic. They are the result of strong leadership, long hours of hard work, discipline and commitment to a vision of what we, as a nation, can be. These qualities enabled us to stage and host this mega-event, when so many doubted our capacity to do so. International visitors have seen these qualities, in abundant display throughout the length and breadth of our country.
The World Cup has given us the opportunity to show the world who we are. And the world is changing its stereotyped perceptions.
The big question is: What are we, as South Africans, learning from this great event?
We already know that sport is the great unifier of our nation. We must now consciously apply that knowledge in order to build great national teams, in every sports code. This can only happen if we spot talent at primary school level and develop it systematically. We know that developing an international sports star takes about 15 years of intensive, expert nurturing. We must begin at entry level: extending opportunity, rewarding effort, celebrating excellence. If we try to take short-cuts and avoid the long, disciplined slog, we cannot be world beaters. Cutting corners will miss most of the available talent, and in many sports codes, result in imposed quotas at the very top level, under the guise of "transformation". This is actually an excuse to avoid the challenges of real transformation.
But the lessons of the World Cup extend far beyond sport. Can we apply these lessons when life resumes after the final whistle blows on July 11?
One of the most amazing stories to have come out of the World Cup was published in the Mail & Guardian last week. It was a report on the 56 "World Cup Courts" set up around the country for the duration of the tournament to finalise cases expeditiously and efficiently.
The results have, apparently, been astounding. As the report noted:
"Justice in South Africa has never been this quick: Two armed men rob three foreign journalists at gun point on a Wednesday, police arrest them on the Thursday and by Friday night they've been tried, convicted and begun serving 15 year sentences."
This is a dramatic improvement in performance. Less than two years ago, then Deputy Justice Minister Johnny de Lange admitted that the criminal justice system is dysfunctional. He said:
"The situation is sometimes so overwhelming that we don't know what to do about crime. We have not necessarily taken the right decisions over the past 15 years or used resources efficiently."
De Lange admitted that a "large percentage" of the 2 million crimes reported each year are never solved due to a severe lack of detectives, forensic experts and resources, with only 6 cases finalised every month. De Lange said that government would complete a review of the criminal justice system, telling Parliament that "the time-frame is yesterday."
That was in 2008. We have not heard anything about the review since.
In contrast, the Department of Justice has certainly ramped up prosecutorial performance for the World Cup. Within four days of kick-off, 20 cases had been brought before the special courts and four finalised. At this rate, the special World Cup courts will finalise five times more cases per month than normal courts.
An equally dramatic example of rapid delivery is the Cape Town stadium, located on arguably the most sensitive piece of real estate in the country. It took less than four years to build, from conception to finalisation. In contrast, a proposed housing development, initiated at the same time as the stadium, is unlikely to be completed until 2013. It is still limping its way through the myriad, complex, planning procedures, with delays of up to 24 months to deal with objections in each of the three separate rounds of "public participation" required. This, despite Cape Town's housing crisis, with a backlog of 400,000 units. In the same way, a major flood-relief programme designed to assist shack dwellers on the Cape Flats this winter, has all but ground to a halt because of community conflicts.
Yet, despite the controversy surrounding the siting of the stadium, it forged ahead.
What was the difference?
I think the key difference was the fact that we knew we had an unchangeable deadline. We also knew that FIFA would hold us accountable for delivering to the required standards. As the world watched, we dared not fail.
The single greatest risk was that we would miss the deadline. We did everything necessary to prevent that risk.
Many of the delivery items for the World Cup were "lifted out" of normal bureaucratic procedures, and dealt with as "special cases" (from the special courts to the stadiums and the transport systems). National, provincial and local government aligned their efforts. The best project managers were brought on board. Deviations" from rigorous, time-consuming procedures were often granted. We did this, at all levels of government, because every other risk paled into insignificance compared with the catastrophe of missing the World Cup deadline. Or of falling short of the required standards.
In other development projects, politicians and officials know that there is a far greater perceived risk in non-adherence to complex, bureaucratic procedures. Lawyers point out every step of possible "non-compliance" with a myriad laws. Politicians and officials comply. Taking an unlawful short-cut can mean the end of your career. It is easier to extend a deadline than to explain why you failed to comply with a procedure.
This is why, nine months ago, I met President Jacob Zuma to brief him on the many laws and regulations that make it so difficult to deliver services to the poor. He has undertaken to review these laws and bring about changes where necessary. But this process in itself will take years, and the outcome will be highly controversial because shortening delivery time-frames must mean curtailing the extensive provision for public participation, in multi-phase planning processes, and giving more discretion to elected representatives and officials. There are great risks attached to this as well -- especially in a context of endemic corruption and power abuse.
There are no easy answers. But the debate has begun. And we must now go beyond talking. We must set immutable deadlines to meet targets in addressing some of our most intractable social challenges. If we can learn this lesson from the World Cup, and apply it in a way that does not erode democracy, it will have been more than worth it.
18 June, 2010
Kollege-beheer ‘ondergrawe onderrigstelsel’ - 18 Junie 2010
Liesl Peyper berig uit Kaapstad:
Die ANC is magsbehep en dít is waarom die regering die 53 kolleges vir verdere onderwys en opleiding (VOO-kolleges) nasionaal wil beheer.
Só het dr. Wilmot James, die DA se woordvoerder oor hoër onderwys, gister in ’n verklaring gesê.
Die regering het Dinsdag die voorstel dat die departement van hoër onderwys VOO-kolleges nasionaal sal bestuur, amptelik goedgekeur nadat die betrokke minister, dr. Blade Nzimande, dit vroeër aan die kabinet voorgelê het.
Die nege provinsiale onderwysdepartemente het tot dusver die administrasie en bestuur van VOO-kolleges behartig.
Die sentralisering van die bestuur en administrasie van dié kolleges vereis ’n wysiging van afdeling 4 van die Grondwet, wat bepaal dat die provinsies wetgewende mag oor die VOO-kolleges het.
Mnr. Themba Maseko, regeringswoordvoerder, het vandeesweek op ’n nuuskonferensie gesê die besluit om die kolleges op nasionale vlak te bestuur, geniet die steun van al die LUR’e vir onderwys.
Die DA steun egter nie dié besluit nie en James het dit bestempel as ’n manier waarop Nzimande sy mag verder kan uitbrei.
Die DA het verskeie kere reeds aangevoer Nzimande is daarop uit om die stelsel van hoër onderwys onder sy beheer saam te trek en dat hy universiteite se onafhanklikheid wil wegneem.
Volgens James kan die sentralisering van die VOO-kolleges se funksies en bestuur Suid-Afrika se “noukeurig beplande” provinsiale stelsel van onderwys ondergrawe.
James het daarop gewys dat dit ’n prioriteit moet wees om die gehalte van onderrig by die VOO-kolleges te verbeter. “Dit kan steeds gedoen word, al word die kolleges provinsiaal bestuur.”
- Die Burger
Die ANC is magsbehep en dít is waarom die regering die 53 kolleges vir verdere onderwys en opleiding (VOO-kolleges) nasionaal wil beheer.
Só het dr. Wilmot James, die DA se woordvoerder oor hoër onderwys, gister in ’n verklaring gesê.
Die regering het Dinsdag die voorstel dat die departement van hoër onderwys VOO-kolleges nasionaal sal bestuur, amptelik goedgekeur nadat die betrokke minister, dr. Blade Nzimande, dit vroeër aan die kabinet voorgelê het.
Die nege provinsiale onderwysdepartemente het tot dusver die administrasie en bestuur van VOO-kolleges behartig.
Die sentralisering van die bestuur en administrasie van dié kolleges vereis ’n wysiging van afdeling 4 van die Grondwet, wat bepaal dat die provinsies wetgewende mag oor die VOO-kolleges het.
Mnr. Themba Maseko, regeringswoordvoerder, het vandeesweek op ’n nuuskonferensie gesê die besluit om die kolleges op nasionale vlak te bestuur, geniet die steun van al die LUR’e vir onderwys.
Die DA steun egter nie dié besluit nie en James het dit bestempel as ’n manier waarop Nzimande sy mag verder kan uitbrei.
Die DA het verskeie kere reeds aangevoer Nzimande is daarop uit om die stelsel van hoër onderwys onder sy beheer saam te trek en dat hy universiteite se onafhanklikheid wil wegneem.
Volgens James kan die sentralisering van die VOO-kolleges se funksies en bestuur Suid-Afrika se “noukeurig beplande” provinsiale stelsel van onderwys ondergrawe.
James het daarop gewys dat dit ’n prioriteit moet wees om die gehalte van onderrig by die VOO-kolleges te verbeter. “Dit kan steeds gedoen word, al word die kolleges provinsiaal bestuur.”
- Die Burger
DA neem kennis van Gama se skuldigbevinding - 17 Junie 2010
Manie van Dyk LP, die DA se skaduminister van openbare ondernemings, het die onlangse uitspraak van skuldig teen Siyabonga Gama, die geskorste uitvoerende hoof van Transnet-vragspoor, verwelkom. Van Dyk sê die aanklagte behels die onreëlmatige toekenning van ’n tender ter waarde van R18 miljoen aan ’n maatskappy in besit van Siphiwe Nyanda, die Minister van Kommunikasie.
Van Dyk sê die DA hoop die beslissing van ’n interne dissiplinêre komitee van Transnet sal ander semi-staatsinstellings aanspoor om op te ruim en besliste stappe teen korrupsie en omvattende wanbestuur te doen.
Gama is in September 2009 geskors, hangende die uitslag van die dissiplinêre proses, waartydens hy nou op alle aanklagte rakende die saak skuldig bevind is. Dit sluit ’n aanklag in ten opsigte van ’n “onherstelbare verbrokkeling van die verhouding met Transnet”, sê Van Dyk.
Van Dyk sê die DA hoop die beslissing sal aan die ANC toon dat die gewoonte van begunstiging om aanstellings in topposte in belangrike ondernemings in staatsbesit te doen, sal net in nóg samespanning en korrupsie uitloop.
Hy sê laastens dat die DA aan Barbara Hogan, die Minister van Openbare Ondernemings, gaan skryf en vra hoe sy van plan is om te sorg dat die regte mense in die regte poste aangestel word.
Van Dyk sê die DA hoop die beslissing van ’n interne dissiplinêre komitee van Transnet sal ander semi-staatsinstellings aanspoor om op te ruim en besliste stappe teen korrupsie en omvattende wanbestuur te doen.
Gama is in September 2009 geskors, hangende die uitslag van die dissiplinêre proses, waartydens hy nou op alle aanklagte rakende die saak skuldig bevind is. Dit sluit ’n aanklag in ten opsigte van ’n “onherstelbare verbrokkeling van die verhouding met Transnet”, sê Van Dyk.
Van Dyk sê die DA hoop die beslissing sal aan die ANC toon dat die gewoonte van begunstiging om aanstellings in topposte in belangrike ondernemings in staatsbesit te doen, sal net in nóg samespanning en korrupsie uitloop.
Hy sê laastens dat die DA aan Barbara Hogan, die Minister van Openbare Ondernemings, gaan skryf en vra hoe sy van plan is om te sorg dat die regte mense in die regte poste aangestel word.
Die DA se hofgeding teen die beëindiging van Zuma se vervolging - 17 Junie 2010
Die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) se hofgeding teen die beëindiging van die vervolging van Jacob Zuma op aanklagte van korrupsie is verlede week in die Noord-Gautengse Hoërhof aangehoor.
James Selfe LP, die Voorsitter van die DA se Federale Uitvoerende Gesag, sê die DA se saak gaan nie daarom of Jacob Zuma op die aanklagte skuldig of onskuldig is nie, maar of mnr. Mpshe, die Nasionale Direkteur van Openbare Vervolgings, se besluit om die vervolging te beëindig, korrek was.
Selfe sê die DA het die geding in die beste belange van gelykheid voor die reg aanhangig gemaak, en vra dat die Hof moet bevind dat dié besluit met die Grondwet bots, en dus ongeldig is.
Hy sê die Nasionale Vervolgingsgesag (NVG) het geweldig baie voorbereiding en openbare hulpbronne aan die saak teen mnr. Zuma bestee, en sommiges het dit as die bes voorbereide vervolging in Suid-Afrika se regsgeskiedenis beskryf. Die geding is egter deur die destydse waarnemende NDOV, Mokotedi Mpshe, beëindig, en die publiek het die reg om te weet waarom, sê Selfe. Die DA glo die besluit is irrasioneel en arbitrêr en onwettig, en het die hof gevra om die besluit in hersiening te neem en tersyde te stel.
Ander aspekte waaroor debat gevoer is, was die status van die DA en die feit dat dit die DA se verantwoordelikheid as ’n politieke party is om in die publiek se beste belang op te tree, sê Selfe. Dit is ons plig om te sorg dat die Grondwet in ere gehou word en dat almal voor die reg gelyk is. Geen individu moet bevoordeel word weens die besondere pos wat dié persoon beklee nie.
Dié aansoek is aanvanklik in April 2009 ingedien, sê Selfe. Die verrigtinge is egter onnodig deur die opponerende partye vertraag, en daarom hoor die Hof die saak nou eers aan, voeg hy by.
Selfe het die NVG gekritiseer en gesê dit is ’n staatsorgaan wat in dié aangeleentheid neutraal behoort te wees. Die NVG moet die hof laat beslis of sy besluit reg was of nie. In plaas daarvan staan hy die vrystelling van die sogenaamde verminderde rekord sterk teë, dit is die dokumente wat mnr. Mpshe gebruik het om die besluit te neem om die vervolging te staak, sê hy.
Selfe sê laastens die NVG gebruik elke moontlike betoog om ’n eenvoudige en wettige versoek te stuit. Sodoende lyk dit of sy houding aan partydigheid grens. Die enigste gevolgtrekking is dat die NDOV se besluit inderdaad arbitrêr en irrasioneel was, en/of dat hy bloot iets wou wegsteek.
James Selfe LP, die Voorsitter van die DA se Federale Uitvoerende Gesag, sê die DA se saak gaan nie daarom of Jacob Zuma op die aanklagte skuldig of onskuldig is nie, maar of mnr. Mpshe, die Nasionale Direkteur van Openbare Vervolgings, se besluit om die vervolging te beëindig, korrek was.
Selfe sê die DA het die geding in die beste belange van gelykheid voor die reg aanhangig gemaak, en vra dat die Hof moet bevind dat dié besluit met die Grondwet bots, en dus ongeldig is.
Hy sê die Nasionale Vervolgingsgesag (NVG) het geweldig baie voorbereiding en openbare hulpbronne aan die saak teen mnr. Zuma bestee, en sommiges het dit as die bes voorbereide vervolging in Suid-Afrika se regsgeskiedenis beskryf. Die geding is egter deur die destydse waarnemende NDOV, Mokotedi Mpshe, beëindig, en die publiek het die reg om te weet waarom, sê Selfe. Die DA glo die besluit is irrasioneel en arbitrêr en onwettig, en het die hof gevra om die besluit in hersiening te neem en tersyde te stel.
Ander aspekte waaroor debat gevoer is, was die status van die DA en die feit dat dit die DA se verantwoordelikheid as ’n politieke party is om in die publiek se beste belang op te tree, sê Selfe. Dit is ons plig om te sorg dat die Grondwet in ere gehou word en dat almal voor die reg gelyk is. Geen individu moet bevoordeel word weens die besondere pos wat dié persoon beklee nie.
Dié aansoek is aanvanklik in April 2009 ingedien, sê Selfe. Die verrigtinge is egter onnodig deur die opponerende partye vertraag, en daarom hoor die Hof die saak nou eers aan, voeg hy by.
Selfe het die NVG gekritiseer en gesê dit is ’n staatsorgaan wat in dié aangeleentheid neutraal behoort te wees. Die NVG moet die hof laat beslis of sy besluit reg was of nie. In plaas daarvan staan hy die vrystelling van die sogenaamde verminderde rekord sterk teë, dit is die dokumente wat mnr. Mpshe gebruik het om die besluit te neem om die vervolging te staak, sê hy.
Selfe sê laastens die NVG gebruik elke moontlike betoog om ’n eenvoudige en wettige versoek te stuit. Sodoende lyk dit of sy houding aan partydigheid grens. Die enigste gevolgtrekking is dat die NDOV se besluit inderdaad arbitrêr en irrasioneel was, en/of dat hy bloot iets wou wegsteek.
17 June, 2010
"Still gaps" in new Treasury price guidelines
2010/06/17
DESPITE the provincial Treasury releasing a price guideline to regulate the way tenders are provided, there are still gaps which need to be filled.
On Monday, the Treasury released a list of items at market-related prices with strict orders to supply-chain managers to disregard any grossly inflated quotes.
While government was previously paying R26 for a loaf of bread, the new pricing guideline ranges between R8 and R9. A typical ballpoint pen which was being charged at R19 is now set to cost between R10 and R13.
A calculator previously costing R500 will now have to be priced between R79 and R87. A stapler costing R120 is now between R46 and R52.
In a circular to departments and parastatals, acting Treasury head Qonda Kalimashe outlined that average prices were determined by Statistics South Africa through quotations directly from suppliers and physical visits to retailers in the province. Thereafter, the average prices were increased by a percentage equivalent to points received. Points are awarded based on where in the province companies are situated.
Companies based in East London and Port Elizabeth earn 10 points and have 12.5 percent added to the average price.
Companies in secondary urban towns such as Grahamstown, Mthatha and Queenstown, earn 15 points and have 18.75 percent added to the average price. The third category consists of other businesses which fall within Eastern Cape rural areas, which earn 20 points and have 25 percent added to the average.
Spokesperson for the Public Service and Accountability Monitor (PSAM) Derek Luyt suggested that the system was flawed as businesses could use fake addresses to apply for tenders.
“The index allows for businesses based outside of metros and secondary urban areas to qualify for preferential ratings in the awarding of tenders,” Luyt said.
“While the PSAM appreciates the rationale behind this reasoning, we hope that there will not be a flood of metro or secondary urban area-based businesses relocating their headoffices to some rural location.”
Luyt added that provincial Treasury would have to be certain to monitor the procurement process as business could exploit the rules.
“These businesses should not benefit from preferential procurement policy by putting a phone and fax machine in a rural town.
“The PSAM urges the provincial Treasury to consider closing down this potential loophole,” added Luyt.
The Democratic Alliance’s Bobby Stevenson said: “The price index issued by the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury for the procurement of goods is welcome, but this is only one step on the road to rooting out tender corruption.”
Stevenson and the UDM’s Max Mhlati insisted that Treasury should now also focus on creating a similar price index for larger scale items.
“A price index for major items such as clinics, classrooms and roads needs to be issued,” added Stevenson.
“This benchmarking has not yet addressed the major government tenders. It deals with small tenders of things which are required by hospitals and other institutions. — By JUSTIN LAWRENCE and MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA, DAILY DISPATCH
DESPITE the provincial Treasury releasing a price guideline to regulate the way tenders are provided, there are still gaps which need to be filled.
On Monday, the Treasury released a list of items at market-related prices with strict orders to supply-chain managers to disregard any grossly inflated quotes.
While government was previously paying R26 for a loaf of bread, the new pricing guideline ranges between R8 and R9. A typical ballpoint pen which was being charged at R19 is now set to cost between R10 and R13.
A calculator previously costing R500 will now have to be priced between R79 and R87. A stapler costing R120 is now between R46 and R52.
In a circular to departments and parastatals, acting Treasury head Qonda Kalimashe outlined that average prices were determined by Statistics South Africa through quotations directly from suppliers and physical visits to retailers in the province. Thereafter, the average prices were increased by a percentage equivalent to points received. Points are awarded based on where in the province companies are situated.
Companies based in East London and Port Elizabeth earn 10 points and have 12.5 percent added to the average price.
Companies in secondary urban towns such as Grahamstown, Mthatha and Queenstown, earn 15 points and have 18.75 percent added to the average price. The third category consists of other businesses which fall within Eastern Cape rural areas, which earn 20 points and have 25 percent added to the average.
Spokesperson for the Public Service and Accountability Monitor (PSAM) Derek Luyt suggested that the system was flawed as businesses could use fake addresses to apply for tenders.
“The index allows for businesses based outside of metros and secondary urban areas to qualify for preferential ratings in the awarding of tenders,” Luyt said.
“While the PSAM appreciates the rationale behind this reasoning, we hope that there will not be a flood of metro or secondary urban area-based businesses relocating their headoffices to some rural location.”
Luyt added that provincial Treasury would have to be certain to monitor the procurement process as business could exploit the rules.
“These businesses should not benefit from preferential procurement policy by putting a phone and fax machine in a rural town.
“The PSAM urges the provincial Treasury to consider closing down this potential loophole,” added Luyt.
The Democratic Alliance’s Bobby Stevenson said: “The price index issued by the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury for the procurement of goods is welcome, but this is only one step on the road to rooting out tender corruption.”
Stevenson and the UDM’s Max Mhlati insisted that Treasury should now also focus on creating a similar price index for larger scale items.
“A price index for major items such as clinics, classrooms and roads needs to be issued,” added Stevenson.
“This benchmarking has not yet addressed the major government tenders. It deals with small tenders of things which are required by hospitals and other institutions. — By JUSTIN LAWRENCE and MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA, DAILY DISPATCH
16 June, 2010
Outcry as state spends R5 million on World Cup tickets
Three parastatals and a government department have spent more than R5 million on World Cup tickets, with the SABC splurging R3.3m on more than 2 000 tickets.
This was revealed in a parliamentary reply on Wednesday from Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda to a question from the Democratic Alliance.
The signal regulator Sentech spent R1.7m on 96 tickets, while the SA Post office bought 500 tickets for R800 000 and the Department of Public Service and Administration spent R65 400 on 25 tickets.
The DA expressed anger over the issue.
"How these tickets will be allocated has not been explained. Instead, the parliamentary reply from the minister of communications attempts to hide behind the claim that 'identified groups of stakeholders or representatives thereof' will benefit. What that means is anyone's guess," DA MP Niekie van den Berg said.
"The question is why those who are well placed to be able to afford tickets are now getting state-subsidised tickets, when many ordinary South Africans have been unable to get tickets.”
“If anyone should be getting state-subsidised tickets, it is poor South Africans who cannot afford them. Those who can afford tickets should pay their way to the matches; they should not get them free from the state, via the SABC or any other state entity," Van den Berg added.
He said the SABC's R3m "on more than 2 000 tickets" could not be justified, "given that entity's current financial status".
"In 2009, the SABC received a R1.4 billion guarantee from the National Treasury. The guarantee was awarded with the condition that the SABC would institute cost-cutting measures."
The DA said that in issuing the directive preventing municipalities from buying World Cup tickets, the National Treasury classified the expenditure on World Cup tickets as irregular, as well as fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
The National Treasury indicated that any official permitting such expenditure would be liable for it and could face charges for financial misconduct.
"The DA will today in Parliament issue a member's statement requesting that the National Treasury institute proceedings to scrutinise all purchases of World Cup tickets at national, provincial and local level," the DA said.
This article was originally published in The Star on June 03, 2010.
Comment by Ossie Bellingan, "At least we can be assured that our tax money is not wasted on trivialities like education, health and housing!"
This was revealed in a parliamentary reply on Wednesday from Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda to a question from the Democratic Alliance.
The signal regulator Sentech spent R1.7m on 96 tickets, while the SA Post office bought 500 tickets for R800 000 and the Department of Public Service and Administration spent R65 400 on 25 tickets.
The DA expressed anger over the issue.
"How these tickets will be allocated has not been explained. Instead, the parliamentary reply from the minister of communications attempts to hide behind the claim that 'identified groups of stakeholders or representatives thereof' will benefit. What that means is anyone's guess," DA MP Niekie van den Berg said.
"The question is why those who are well placed to be able to afford tickets are now getting state-subsidised tickets, when many ordinary South Africans have been unable to get tickets.”
“If anyone should be getting state-subsidised tickets, it is poor South Africans who cannot afford them. Those who can afford tickets should pay their way to the matches; they should not get them free from the state, via the SABC or any other state entity," Van den Berg added.
He said the SABC's R3m "on more than 2 000 tickets" could not be justified, "given that entity's current financial status".
"In 2009, the SABC received a R1.4 billion guarantee from the National Treasury. The guarantee was awarded with the condition that the SABC would institute cost-cutting measures."
The DA said that in issuing the directive preventing municipalities from buying World Cup tickets, the National Treasury classified the expenditure on World Cup tickets as irregular, as well as fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
The National Treasury indicated that any official permitting such expenditure would be liable for it and could face charges for financial misconduct.
"The DA will today in Parliament issue a member's statement requesting that the National Treasury institute proceedings to scrutinise all purchases of World Cup tickets at national, provincial and local level," the DA said.
This article was originally published in The Star on June 03, 2010.
Comment by Ossie Bellingan, "At least we can be assured that our tax money is not wasted on trivialities like education, health and housing!"
12 June, 2010
Ward 3 committee meeting, 27 May 2010
Minutes of a committee meeting held on 27th May 2010 at 14:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.
Present: J Thiart (Chairperson) C Womersley, Dr. B Vosloo, J Davel , H Thiart
Apologies: Clr. Dr. N Botha
1. Opening and welcome:
The Chairman extended a word of welcome to all present. J Davel opened with a prayer.
2. Confirmation of the Minutes of the 6th May 2010.
The minutes were previously circulated and taken as red. Approved on proposal of J Davel and seconded by B Vosloo.
3. Matters arising from the minutes.
House meetings: 4 House meetings were held in Ward 3, and another 2 are scheduled for the first week in June. B Vosloo indicated that in the event of a problem with a suitable venue for future house meetings, their house is available.
4. Enrolment of DA Members.
At the date of the meeting 94 paid-up members were enrolled. C Womersley enrolled 21 members in Dr. Mike Herholdt. J Davel enrolled 6 members and K Swiegers, 16 members.
The Chairman expressed appreciation for hard work done.
B Vosloo asked that the DA membership list be e-mailed to him so that he can update his list of e-mail addresses.
5. Reportback by Clr. Dr. Botha
Unfortunately Councillor Botha had Council commitments and could not attend the meeting.
6. D A Blog.
B Vosloo said that the D A Blog will be up and running by the first week of June. The committee extended their sincere thanks to him for his enthusiasm towards the needs of the DA.
7. Next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 24th June 2010 at 16:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.
Present: J Thiart (Chairperson) C Womersley, Dr. B Vosloo, J Davel , H Thiart
Apologies: Clr. Dr. N Botha
1. Opening and welcome:
The Chairman extended a word of welcome to all present. J Davel opened with a prayer.
2. Confirmation of the Minutes of the 6th May 2010.
The minutes were previously circulated and taken as red. Approved on proposal of J Davel and seconded by B Vosloo.
3. Matters arising from the minutes.
House meetings: 4 House meetings were held in Ward 3, and another 2 are scheduled for the first week in June. B Vosloo indicated that in the event of a problem with a suitable venue for future house meetings, their house is available.
4. Enrolment of DA Members.
At the date of the meeting 94 paid-up members were enrolled. C Womersley enrolled 21 members in Dr. Mike Herholdt. J Davel enrolled 6 members and K Swiegers, 16 members.
The Chairman expressed appreciation for hard work done.
B Vosloo asked that the DA membership list be e-mailed to him so that he can update his list of e-mail addresses.
5. Reportback by Clr. Dr. Botha
Unfortunately Councillor Botha had Council commitments and could not attend the meeting.
6. D A Blog.
B Vosloo said that the D A Blog will be up and running by the first week of June. The committee extended their sincere thanks to him for his enthusiasm towards the needs of the DA.
7. Next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 24th June 2010 at 16:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.
11 June, 2010
Helen se weeklikse nuusbrief, 11 Junie 2010
Wys die Wêreldbeker-klakouse 'n ding of twee
'n Beroemde sokker-afrigter het eens gesê: "Voetbal is geen saak van lewe en dood nie. Dis baie belangriker." Enigiemand wat vandeesweek se opwinding en patriotiese vertoon aanskou het, sou nogal met hom saamstem.
Die euforie gaan vandag na die hoogste rat oorskakel namate die openingseremonie en die eerste wedstryd van die dag nader kom. Dis oplaas met ons!
Namens die Demokratiese Alliansie wil ek Bafana Bafana graag die allerbeste vir vandag se wedstryd teen Mexiko toewens, en ook vir die volgende vier weke. En ek sê "vier weke" omdat ek dink ons het alles om enduit vol te hou.
Ons is 'n nasie wat deur hoop en optimisme aangevuur word. Ons is goed op dreef, en almal wat die wedstryd teen Denemarke dopgehou het, kon agterkom daar is nuwe selfvertroue onder die spelers. Carlos Parreira, die afrigter, sê die lawaai van die vuvuzelas is soos 'n twaalfde speler op die veld. Van wat ek oor die afgelope klompie dae gesien het, glo ek dit.
Ewe belangrik langs die veld is dat alle Suid-Afrikaners bankvas agter Bafana Bafana begin staan - iets wat haas ondenkbaar was vir dié wat, soos 'n Britse poniekoerant, voorspel het dat 'n rasse-oorlog in Suid-Afrika sou uitbreek. Hy het besoekers selfs gewaarsku teen bendes met kapmesse in die strate!
Dié eenheidsvertoon wat ons in die aanloop tot die Wêreldbeker aanskou het, is bemoedigend vir almal wat glo dat Suid-Afrika die potensiaal het om een nasie met een welvarende toekoms te word.
'n Beroemde sokker-afrigter het eens gesê: "Voetbal is geen saak van lewe en dood nie. Dis baie belangriker." Enigiemand wat vandeesweek se opwinding en patriotiese vertoon aanskou het, sou nogal met hom saamstem.
Die euforie gaan vandag na die hoogste rat oorskakel namate die openingseremonie en die eerste wedstryd van die dag nader kom. Dis oplaas met ons!
Namens die Demokratiese Alliansie wil ek Bafana Bafana graag die allerbeste vir vandag se wedstryd teen Mexiko toewens, en ook vir die volgende vier weke. En ek sê "vier weke" omdat ek dink ons het alles om enduit vol te hou.
Ons is 'n nasie wat deur hoop en optimisme aangevuur word. Ons is goed op dreef, en almal wat die wedstryd teen Denemarke dopgehou het, kon agterkom daar is nuwe selfvertroue onder die spelers. Carlos Parreira, die afrigter, sê die lawaai van die vuvuzelas is soos 'n twaalfde speler op die veld. Van wat ek oor die afgelope klompie dae gesien het, glo ek dit.
Ewe belangrik langs die veld is dat alle Suid-Afrikaners bankvas agter Bafana Bafana begin staan - iets wat haas ondenkbaar was vir dié wat, soos 'n Britse poniekoerant, voorspel het dat 'n rasse-oorlog in Suid-Afrika sou uitbreek. Hy het besoekers selfs gewaarsku teen bendes met kapmesse in die strate!
Dié eenheidsvertoon wat ons in die aanloop tot die Wêreldbeker aanskou het, is bemoedigend vir almal wat glo dat Suid-Afrika die potensiaal het om een nasie met een welvarende toekoms te word.
DA doen beroep op pres. Zuma om loonsubsidies vir jeugdiges in te stel
In ’n onlangse mediakonferensie het die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) ’n beroep op pres. Jacob Zuma gedoen om hom te verset teen die drieparty-alliansie se taktiek om die beleid van ’n loonsubsidie vir jeugdiges wat hy in sy Staatsrede aangekondig het, te stuit.
Tim Harris LP, die DA-lid van die Portefeuljekomitee op Finansies, en Lindiwe Mazibuko LP, die DA se nasionale woordvoerder, sê dat Zuma se kabinet oor dié baie belangrike beleidsvoorstel ’n ideologiese dooiepunt bereik het.
Mazibuko sê sy is ontsteld dat die Tesourie nie sy sperdatum van einde Mei vir die tertafellegging van ’n besprekingsdokument kon haal nie. Sy sê elke week dat die President nie ingryp om die dooiepunt in die kabinet op te los nie, kos dit die land 4 000 werkgeleenthede vir jeugdiges.
Statistieke Suid-Afrika se Kwartaallikse Arbeidsmagoorsig wat vroeër vandeesmaand bekend gemaak is, toon dat meer as 3,1 miljoen jong Suid-Afrikaners van 15 tot 34 jaar oud in die eerste kwartaal van 2010 werkloos was. Dit is bykans 72% – byna driekwart – van die werkloses in ons land, sê Harris.
Mazibuko sê dit lyk asof Ebrahim Patel, die Minister van Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling, Cosatu se pogings om die loonsubsidie-voorstel te stuit, steun.
Harris bevestig dat die DA aan die Voorsitter van die Nasionale Raad van Provinsies en die Speaker van die Nasionale Vergadering gaan skryf om hulle in te lig dat die DA ’n mosie gaan indien dat albei Huise dringend oor die kwessie van werkgeleenthede vir jeugdiges debat moet voer.
Tim Harris LP, die DA-lid van die Portefeuljekomitee op Finansies, en Lindiwe Mazibuko LP, die DA se nasionale woordvoerder, sê dat Zuma se kabinet oor dié baie belangrike beleidsvoorstel ’n ideologiese dooiepunt bereik het.
Mazibuko sê sy is ontsteld dat die Tesourie nie sy sperdatum van einde Mei vir die tertafellegging van ’n besprekingsdokument kon haal nie. Sy sê elke week dat die President nie ingryp om die dooiepunt in die kabinet op te los nie, kos dit die land 4 000 werkgeleenthede vir jeugdiges.
Statistieke Suid-Afrika se Kwartaallikse Arbeidsmagoorsig wat vroeër vandeesmaand bekend gemaak is, toon dat meer as 3,1 miljoen jong Suid-Afrikaners van 15 tot 34 jaar oud in die eerste kwartaal van 2010 werkloos was. Dit is bykans 72% – byna driekwart – van die werkloses in ons land, sê Harris.
Mazibuko sê dit lyk asof Ebrahim Patel, die Minister van Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling, Cosatu se pogings om die loonsubsidie-voorstel te stuit, steun.
Harris bevestig dat die DA aan die Voorsitter van die Nasionale Raad van Provinsies en die Speaker van die Nasionale Vergadering gaan skryf om hulle in te lig dat die DA ’n mosie gaan indien dat albei Huise dringend oor die kwessie van werkgeleenthede vir jeugdiges debat moet voer.
Ward 3 committee meeting, 6 May 2010
Minutes of a committee meeting held on 6th May 2010 at 16:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club
1. Attendance
Present: J Thiart (Chairperson), Dr. B Vosloo, J Davel, Clr. Dr. Nico Botha, Charles Womersley and H Thiart (secretary)
Absent: A Bellingan
2. Opening and welcome.
The chairman extended a word of welcome to all present and opens with a prayer.
3. Confirmation of the minutes of 25th march 2010.
After the minutes were read they were approved on the proposal of B Vosloo, seconded by
J Davel.
4. Matters arising from the minutes.
(a) Appreciation was expressed for the house meetings arranged by B Vosloo and J Davel. Both meetings were well attended. Clr. Botha conveyed the Mission and Vision of the Democratic Alliance, and also the focus of the local D A.
Questions were asked and after answers were given, there was a better understanding of how important it was for the DA to defeat the ANC at the ballot box in order to take charge of the future of the Kouga. Five future house meetings were envisaged for Wavecrest and Kabeljouws.
(b) A DA brochure setting out the Vision and Principals of the DA was compiled by Ossie Bellingan, Barry Vosloo and Pieter Butler. The booklet was sponsored by the provicial DA office and will be used as a canvassing tool.
5. Report back by Clr. Botha
Two new branches will be established in the Jeffreys Bay region, one in Pellsrus/Ocean View on 26th May, and the other in Paradise Beach on the 27th. According to Jerome Perrils approximately 45 members have already been enrolled in Pellsrus. According to Pieter Butler, Paradise Beach members will meet at the NG Church Hall at 4:30..
6. Demarcation Board
Councillors met with the Demarcation Board and apparently no objections were lodged with regard to the boundaries of the new Ward 3. D. A D Keet Street will be worked on both sides by our team. A plan of the ward will be supplied to the committee by Clr. Botha.
7. 2011 municipal election: Interviews with aspirant candidates
Interviews were held with the aspirant candidates in the Jeffreys Bay region. The secretary was out of town at the time, but will be interviewed in the near future. A list of tasks to be performed by the aspirant candidates was handed over to them. Only after the meeting of the Electoral College the aspirant will be interviewed by a selection panel consisting of DA members beyond the borders of the Kouga. Only then, and if the aspirants are recommended by the selection panel, will they be nominated as candidates.
8. Budget Meeting, Ward 3
The Ward was very poorly represented. Mr Abdullah had an answer to every question in spite of the fact that Rome is burning.
9. DA Golf Day at St Francis Golf Club.
The aim is to collect about R100 000. It is very difficult to get willing sponsors in these trying times. Only R22 000 has been raised so far. SAB Miller will sponsor in kind.
10. Kruisfontein
The brown vote it is crucial to achieve a majority in the 2011 municipal election. The DA is working hard, but unfortunately it is also costing lots of money.
11. DA Blog
Barry Vosloo explained the advantages of a DA blog leading up to the 2011 municipal election. He will present his proposal at the Co-ordinating Committee Meeting. The meeting takes note and expresses support for the proposed blog.
12. Next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 27th May at 14:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.
1. Attendance
Present: J Thiart (Chairperson), Dr. B Vosloo, J Davel, Clr. Dr. Nico Botha, Charles Womersley and H Thiart (secretary)
Absent: A Bellingan
2. Opening and welcome.
The chairman extended a word of welcome to all present and opens with a prayer.
3. Confirmation of the minutes of 25th march 2010.
After the minutes were read they were approved on the proposal of B Vosloo, seconded by
J Davel.
4. Matters arising from the minutes.
(a) Appreciation was expressed for the house meetings arranged by B Vosloo and J Davel. Both meetings were well attended. Clr. Botha conveyed the Mission and Vision of the Democratic Alliance, and also the focus of the local D A.
Questions were asked and after answers were given, there was a better understanding of how important it was for the DA to defeat the ANC at the ballot box in order to take charge of the future of the Kouga. Five future house meetings were envisaged for Wavecrest and Kabeljouws.
(b) A DA brochure setting out the Vision and Principals of the DA was compiled by Ossie Bellingan, Barry Vosloo and Pieter Butler. The booklet was sponsored by the provicial DA office and will be used as a canvassing tool.
5. Report back by Clr. Botha
Two new branches will be established in the Jeffreys Bay region, one in Pellsrus/Ocean View on 26th May, and the other in Paradise Beach on the 27th. According to Jerome Perrils approximately 45 members have already been enrolled in Pellsrus. According to Pieter Butler, Paradise Beach members will meet at the NG Church Hall at 4:30..
6. Demarcation Board
Councillors met with the Demarcation Board and apparently no objections were lodged with regard to the boundaries of the new Ward 3. D. A D Keet Street will be worked on both sides by our team. A plan of the ward will be supplied to the committee by Clr. Botha.
7. 2011 municipal election: Interviews with aspirant candidates
Interviews were held with the aspirant candidates in the Jeffreys Bay region. The secretary was out of town at the time, but will be interviewed in the near future. A list of tasks to be performed by the aspirant candidates was handed over to them. Only after the meeting of the Electoral College the aspirant will be interviewed by a selection panel consisting of DA members beyond the borders of the Kouga. Only then, and if the aspirants are recommended by the selection panel, will they be nominated as candidates.
8. Budget Meeting, Ward 3
The Ward was very poorly represented. Mr Abdullah had an answer to every question in spite of the fact that Rome is burning.
9. DA Golf Day at St Francis Golf Club.
The aim is to collect about R100 000. It is very difficult to get willing sponsors in these trying times. Only R22 000 has been raised so far. SAB Miller will sponsor in kind.
10. Kruisfontein
The brown vote it is crucial to achieve a majority in the 2011 municipal election. The DA is working hard, but unfortunately it is also costing lots of money.
11. DA Blog
Barry Vosloo explained the advantages of a DA blog leading up to the 2011 municipal election. He will present his proposal at the Co-ordinating Committee Meeting. The meeting takes note and expresses support for the proposed blog.
12. Next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 27th May at 14:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.
Polisie verloor 13 438 vuurwapens in vyf jaar
Dianne Kohler Barnard LP, die DA se skaduminister van polisie, sê dat ’n reaksie op ’n Parlementêre vraag deur die DA onthul dat die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens in die afgelope jaar 2 603 vuurwapens verloor het.
Kohler Barnard sê ’n totaal van 13 438 vuurwapens het die afgelope vyf jaar verlore gegaan. Die polisie se nalatigheid spoor misdaad aktief aan, en terselfdertyd bestee die SAPD geweldig baie geld aan die vervanging van vuurwapens. Dié geld kon elders aangewend gewees het om misdaad te bestry, sê sy.
Kohler Barnard sê ’n tender is in Januarie vanjaar aangekondig om 4 000 nuwe SAPD-pistole teen ’n koste van R16 miljoen te koop. Sy voeg by dat die Wes-Kaap uit al die provinsies die laagste aantal verlore vuurwapens per polisiebeampte toon, en dat net een vuurwapen vir elke 276 beamptes die afgelope jaar verlore gegaan het.
Kohler Barnard merk met ontsteltenis dat die meeste vuurwapens die afgelope jaar in die Oos-Kaap verlore gegaan het – 1 708 is vermis of is gesteel. Dit is een verlore vuurwapen vir elke tien beamptes.
Dié aangeleentheid moet baie dringend en beslis aangespreek word, sê Kohler Barnard. Vuurwapen-voorrade moet aangeteken en nagegaan word, ’n kultuur van gevolge moet gekweek word, en opleidingsprogramme vir die polisie moet opgeskerp word, sê sy.
Kohler Barnard sê die DA gaan aan die Minister skryf en vra dat ’n eksterne oudit van vuurwapenbestuur uitgevoer moet word.
Kohler Barnard sê ’n totaal van 13 438 vuurwapens het die afgelope vyf jaar verlore gegaan. Die polisie se nalatigheid spoor misdaad aktief aan, en terselfdertyd bestee die SAPD geweldig baie geld aan die vervanging van vuurwapens. Dié geld kon elders aangewend gewees het om misdaad te bestry, sê sy.
Kohler Barnard sê ’n tender is in Januarie vanjaar aangekondig om 4 000 nuwe SAPD-pistole teen ’n koste van R16 miljoen te koop. Sy voeg by dat die Wes-Kaap uit al die provinsies die laagste aantal verlore vuurwapens per polisiebeampte toon, en dat net een vuurwapen vir elke 276 beamptes die afgelope jaar verlore gegaan het.
Kohler Barnard merk met ontsteltenis dat die meeste vuurwapens die afgelope jaar in die Oos-Kaap verlore gegaan het – 1 708 is vermis of is gesteel. Dit is een verlore vuurwapen vir elke tien beamptes.
Dié aangeleentheid moet baie dringend en beslis aangespreek word, sê Kohler Barnard. Vuurwapen-voorrade moet aangeteken en nagegaan word, ’n kultuur van gevolge moet gekweek word, en opleidingsprogramme vir die polisie moet opgeskerp word, sê sy.
Kohler Barnard sê die DA gaan aan die Minister skryf en vra dat ’n eksterne oudit van vuurwapenbestuur uitgevoer moet word.
SAPD benodig weer dringend spesialis-eenhede
Die Instituut van Veiligheidstudies (IVS) het die bevindings van sy ondersoek na die herstrukturering van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) onlangs in die Parlement aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Polisie voorgelê. Dit toon dat die ontbinding van die spesialis-eenhede die stryd teen misdaad baie ernstig negatief beïnvloed het.
Dianne Kohler Barnard, die DA se skaduminister van polisie, sê die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) het die ontbinding van dié eenhede altyd teengestaan. Sy vra nou dat hulle weer ingestel word, want hulle is ’n noodsaaklike element in die stryd teen misdaad.
Kohler Barnard sê dwelmverwante misdade het in minder as ’n dekade met 87% die hoogte ingeskiet, van 62 689 in 2003/04 toe die Dwelmeenheid gesluit is, tot 117 172 in 2009.
Sy voeg by die dwelmhandel op straatvlak is verwaarloos, en ’n toename in handel in kokaïne en ecstacy is duidelik.
Kohler Barnard sê die Teenkorrupsie-eenheid is gesluit omdat “ondersoeke verdagtes met bande met senior nasionale polisiebeamptes geïdentifiseer het”. Sy sê die sluiting van dié eenheid het massiewe korrupsie in die SAPD tot gevolg gehad, en geen inligting oor die volle omvang van die probleem is beskikbaar nie.
In 2007 het die DA die bevindings van sy eie peiling bekend gemaak, wat getoon het dat die sluiting van die Eenheid vir Gesinsgeweld, Kinderbeskerming en Seksuele Oortredings (GKS-eenhede) ’n baie negatiewe uitwerking op slagoffers in dié misdaadkategorieë gehad het, sê Kohler Barnard.
Kohler Barnard verwelkom die besluit deur Nathi Mthethwa, die Minister van Polisie, om die GKS-eenhede weer in te stel. Hy sê hulle sal teen Maart 2011 weer ten volle in werking wees. Sy sê die DA loof die Minister omdat hy besef het die GKS-eenhede is noodsaaklik om misdaad teen vroue en kinders te bestry. Sy doen ’n beroep op die Minister om alle spesialiseenhede dringend weer in te stel.
Dianne Kohler Barnard, die DA se skaduminister van polisie, sê die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) het die ontbinding van dié eenhede altyd teengestaan. Sy vra nou dat hulle weer ingestel word, want hulle is ’n noodsaaklike element in die stryd teen misdaad.
Kohler Barnard sê dwelmverwante misdade het in minder as ’n dekade met 87% die hoogte ingeskiet, van 62 689 in 2003/04 toe die Dwelmeenheid gesluit is, tot 117 172 in 2009.
Sy voeg by die dwelmhandel op straatvlak is verwaarloos, en ’n toename in handel in kokaïne en ecstacy is duidelik.
Kohler Barnard sê die Teenkorrupsie-eenheid is gesluit omdat “ondersoeke verdagtes met bande met senior nasionale polisiebeamptes geïdentifiseer het”. Sy sê die sluiting van dié eenheid het massiewe korrupsie in die SAPD tot gevolg gehad, en geen inligting oor die volle omvang van die probleem is beskikbaar nie.
In 2007 het die DA die bevindings van sy eie peiling bekend gemaak, wat getoon het dat die sluiting van die Eenheid vir Gesinsgeweld, Kinderbeskerming en Seksuele Oortredings (GKS-eenhede) ’n baie negatiewe uitwerking op slagoffers in dié misdaadkategorieë gehad het, sê Kohler Barnard.
Kohler Barnard verwelkom die besluit deur Nathi Mthethwa, die Minister van Polisie, om die GKS-eenhede weer in te stel. Hy sê hulle sal teen Maart 2011 weer ten volle in werking wees. Sy sê die DA loof die Minister omdat hy besef het die GKS-eenhede is noodsaaklik om misdaad teen vroue en kinders te bestry. Sy doen ’n beroep op die Minister om alle spesialiseenhede dringend weer in te stel.
Nasionale staatsdepartemente skuld plaaslike munisipaliteite R673 miljoen
Mark Steele LP, die DA se woordvoerder oor openbare rekenings, het onlangs bekend gemaak dat nasionale departement en entiteite plaaslike munisipaliteite in Maart 2010R673 miljoen aan diensgelde geskuld het.
Steele kritiseer die Departement van Openbare Werke, en sê dié skuld aan munisipaliteite belemmer plaaslike owerhede se vermoë om basiese dienste aan gemeenskappe te lewer.
Steele voeg by dat die bedrae wat bepaalde nasionale departemente aan munisipaliteite skuld, aansienlik is. Die twee ergste oortreders, die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste, en dié van Verdediging en Militêre Veterane, is saam verantwoordelik vir bykans die helfte van die bedrag wat aan munisipaliteite geskuld word, naamlik R297 miljoen.
Steele noem dat talle van dié departemente en entiteite wat steeds miljoene rande aan munisipaliteite skuld, ook gekwalifiseerde oudits vir die boekjaar 2008-2009 ontvang het. Van dié wat R25 miljoen of meer skuld, het die helfte volgens die Ouditeur-Generaal die afgelope vyf jaar elke jaar ’n gekwalifiseerde oudit gekry.
Steele sê daar is ’n duidelike verband tussen die onvermoë van talle munisipaliteite in die land om basiese dienste aan gemeenskappe te lewer, en die ernstige finansiële wanbestuur wat in talle departemente en ministeries met die ANC aan die stuur endemies geword het. Hy sê die munisipaliteite het dikwels nie die hulpbronne om dienste doeltreffend te lewer, en dat dit deels die skuld is van departemente, instellings en entiteite wat hulle nie betaal nie.
Steele sê die DA gaan aan die betrokke ministers skryf en vra wat hulle gaan doen ten opsigte van die R673 miljoen wat aan munisipaliteite orals in die land geskuld word. Hy gaan ook vra waarom die Minister van Samewerkende Regering en Tradisionele Aangeleenthede nie méér doen om seker te maak dat sy kollegas hul rekenings betaal nie.
Steele kritiseer die Departement van Openbare Werke, en sê dié skuld aan munisipaliteite belemmer plaaslike owerhede se vermoë om basiese dienste aan gemeenskappe te lewer.
Steele voeg by dat die bedrae wat bepaalde nasionale departemente aan munisipaliteite skuld, aansienlik is. Die twee ergste oortreders, die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste, en dié van Verdediging en Militêre Veterane, is saam verantwoordelik vir bykans die helfte van die bedrag wat aan munisipaliteite geskuld word, naamlik R297 miljoen.
Steele noem dat talle van dié departemente en entiteite wat steeds miljoene rande aan munisipaliteite skuld, ook gekwalifiseerde oudits vir die boekjaar 2008-2009 ontvang het. Van dié wat R25 miljoen of meer skuld, het die helfte volgens die Ouditeur-Generaal die afgelope vyf jaar elke jaar ’n gekwalifiseerde oudit gekry.
Steele sê daar is ’n duidelike verband tussen die onvermoë van talle munisipaliteite in die land om basiese dienste aan gemeenskappe te lewer, en die ernstige finansiële wanbestuur wat in talle departemente en ministeries met die ANC aan die stuur endemies geword het. Hy sê die munisipaliteite het dikwels nie die hulpbronne om dienste doeltreffend te lewer, en dat dit deels die skuld is van departemente, instellings en entiteite wat hulle nie betaal nie.
Steele sê die DA gaan aan die betrokke ministers skryf en vra wat hulle gaan doen ten opsigte van die R673 miljoen wat aan munisipaliteite orals in die land geskuld word. Hy gaan ook vra waarom die Minister van Samewerkende Regering en Tradisionele Aangeleenthede nie méér doen om seker te maak dat sy kollegas hul rekenings betaal nie.
DA doen beroep op pres. Zuma om loonsubsidies vir jeugdiges in te stel
In ’n onlangse mediakonferensie het die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) ’n beroep op pres. Jacob Zuma gedoen om hom te verset teen die drieparty-alliansie se taktiek om die beleid van ’n loonsubsidie vir jeugdiges wat hy in sy Staatsrede aangekondig het, te stuit.
Tim Harris LP, die DA-lid van die Portefeuljekomitee op Finansies, en Lindiwe Mazibuko LP, die DA se nasionale woordvoerder, sê dat Zuma se kabinet oor dié baie belangrike beleidsvoorstel ’n ideologiese dooiepunt bereik het.
Mazibuko sê sy is ontsteld dat die Tesourie nie sy sperdatum van einde Mei vir die tertafellegging van ’n besprekingsdokument kon haal nie. Sy sê elke week dat die President nie ingryp om die dooiepunt in die kabinet op te los nie, kos dit die land 4 000 werkgeleenthede vir jeugdiges.
Statistieke Suid-Afrika se Kwartaallikse Arbeidsmagoorsig wat vroeër vandeesmaand bekend gemaak is, toon dat meer as 3,1 miljoen jong Suid-Afrikaners van 15 tot 34 jaar oud in die eerste kwartaal van 2010 werkloos was. Dit is bykans 72% – byna driekwart – van die werkloses in ons land, sê Harris.
Mazibuko sê dit lyk asof Ebrahim Patel, die Minister van Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling, Cosatu se pogings om die loonsubsidie-voorstel te stuit, steun.
Harris bevestig dat die DA aan die Voorsitter van die Nasionale Raad van Provinsies en die Speaker van die Nasionale Vergadering gaan skryf om hulle in te lig dat die DA ’n mosie gaan indien dat albei Huise dringend oor die kwessie van werkgeleenthede vir jeugdiges debat moet voer.
Tim Harris LP, die DA-lid van die Portefeuljekomitee op Finansies, en Lindiwe Mazibuko LP, die DA se nasionale woordvoerder, sê dat Zuma se kabinet oor dié baie belangrike beleidsvoorstel ’n ideologiese dooiepunt bereik het.
Mazibuko sê sy is ontsteld dat die Tesourie nie sy sperdatum van einde Mei vir die tertafellegging van ’n besprekingsdokument kon haal nie. Sy sê elke week dat die President nie ingryp om die dooiepunt in die kabinet op te los nie, kos dit die land 4 000 werkgeleenthede vir jeugdiges.
Statistieke Suid-Afrika se Kwartaallikse Arbeidsmagoorsig wat vroeër vandeesmaand bekend gemaak is, toon dat meer as 3,1 miljoen jong Suid-Afrikaners van 15 tot 34 jaar oud in die eerste kwartaal van 2010 werkloos was. Dit is bykans 72% – byna driekwart – van die werkloses in ons land, sê Harris.
Mazibuko sê dit lyk asof Ebrahim Patel, die Minister van Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling, Cosatu se pogings om die loonsubsidie-voorstel te stuit, steun.
Harris bevestig dat die DA aan die Voorsitter van die Nasionale Raad van Provinsies en die Speaker van die Nasionale Vergadering gaan skryf om hulle in te lig dat die DA ’n mosie gaan indien dat albei Huise dringend oor die kwessie van werkgeleenthede vir jeugdiges debat moet voer.
10 June, 2010
Het jy geweet?
Bedrae wat bepaalde staatsdepartemente aan munisipaliteite skuld:
• R164 miljoen deur die Departement van Verdediging en Militêre Veterane
• R133 miljoen deur die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste
• R116 miljoen deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens
• R87 miljoen deur die Departement van Justisie en Konstitusionele Ontwikkeling
• R43 miljoen deur die Departement van Binnelandse Sake
• R28 miljoen deur die Departement van Openbare Werke
• R164 miljoen deur die Departement van Verdediging en Militêre Veterane
• R133 miljoen deur die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste
• R116 miljoen deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens
• R87 miljoen deur die Departement van Justisie en Konstitusionele Ontwikkeling
• R43 miljoen deur die Departement van Binnelandse Sake
• R28 miljoen deur die Departement van Openbare Werke
Nuwe wykskantoor in Wavecrest
Dié gebou staan egter drie maande ná voltooiing steeds in onbruik. Selfs die verf aan die pilare begin al afdop. DAtanet het betroubaar verneem dat die munisipaliteit se geldsake só chaoties is dat daar nie binne die afsienbare toekoms fondse beskikbaar sal wees om ‘n telefoon te laat installeer of om meubels en toerusting te voorsien nie.
Intussen word die mense van die Kouga se belastinggeld deur die ANC-beheerde munisipaliteit wanbestee.
09 June, 2010
Hoof-finansiële beampte verplig om verlof te neem
Our Times het verlede week berig dat Ridwaan Abdullah, die hoof-finansiële beampte van die Kouga-munisipaliteit deur die munisipale bestuurder verplig is om voorkomende verlof te neem sodat ‘n onafhanklike ouditeur ongehinderd ‘n forensiese ondersoek kan onderneem na die nou bekende debakel met betrekking tot die invordering van gelde/betalings ten opsigte van voorafbetaalde elektrisiteitsverbruikers.
‘n Dienskontrak om die voorafbetaalde verbruikersgelde in die Kouga-gebied in te samel, is onder andere aan ‘n sake-onderneming toegeken wat aan Abdullah se swaer behoort. Die munisipaliteit het ‘n ooreenkoms met dié onderneming aangegaan om geld aan hom (die munisipaliteit) oor te betaal wat spruit uit die verkoop van verbruikerskaarte.
Die diensverskaffer het klaarblyklik nie al die geld wat hy ingevorder het aan die munisipaliteit oorbetaal nie. ‘n Bedrag van sowat R6 miljoen is glo ter sprake. Intussen moes die munisipaliteit Eskom betaal vir die krag wat gelewer is.
DAtanet het van ‘n betroubare bron verneem dat die Raad tydens 'n geslote sessie (geen publiek en amptenare was teenwoordig nie) op 27 Mei eenparig besluit het om aan die munisipale bestuurder opdrag te gee om aan Abdullah twee weke verpligte verlof toe te staan. Die burgemeester was glo nie besonder tevrede met dié besluit nie. Die munisipale bestuurder het nie onmiddellik aan die Raadsbesluit uitvoering gegee nie, met die gevolg dat die verpligte verlof ‘n paar dae later in werking getree het. Daar word gespekuleer dat dit met opset gedoen is om Abdullah die geleentheid te gee om spore dood te vee.
‘n Dienskontrak om die voorafbetaalde verbruikersgelde in die Kouga-gebied in te samel, is onder andere aan ‘n sake-onderneming toegeken wat aan Abdullah se swaer behoort. Die munisipaliteit het ‘n ooreenkoms met dié onderneming aangegaan om geld aan hom (die munisipaliteit) oor te betaal wat spruit uit die verkoop van verbruikerskaarte.
Die diensverskaffer het klaarblyklik nie al die geld wat hy ingevorder het aan die munisipaliteit oorbetaal nie. ‘n Bedrag van sowat R6 miljoen is glo ter sprake. Intussen moes die munisipaliteit Eskom betaal vir die krag wat gelewer is.
DAtanet het van ‘n betroubare bron verneem dat die Raad tydens 'n geslote sessie (geen publiek en amptenare was teenwoordig nie) op 27 Mei eenparig besluit het om aan die munisipale bestuurder opdrag te gee om aan Abdullah twee weke verpligte verlof toe te staan. Die burgemeester was glo nie besonder tevrede met dié besluit nie. Die munisipale bestuurder het nie onmiddellik aan die Raadsbesluit uitvoering gegee nie, met die gevolg dat die verpligte verlof ‘n paar dae later in werking getree het. Daar word gespekuleer dat dit met opset gedoen is om Abdullah die geleentheid te gee om spore dood te vee.
Newsletter/Nuusbrief, 9 Jun 2010
As you probably know, the present Ward 3 is likely to be subdivided into two new wards in the not too distant future, namely Ward 3 and Ward 8. Not to get confused, the existing Ward 8 will become Ward 11.
Die toekomstige Wyk 3 sal waarskynlik ‘n gebied insluit wat strek vanaf die kruising van dr. A D Keetstraat en Noorsekloofweg tot onder by die see en dan al langs die strand in die rigting van Port Elizabeth sodat Kabeljouws en Eedenglen ingesluit word. Die kloof by Firethornstraat sal die noord-westelike grens vorm.
In view of the municipal election in 2011, the DA has embarked on a system of house meetings at which the residents attending are informed of the aims and goals of the DA, and are encouraged to enrol as members. Several house meetings have already been held and a number of persons enrolled as members. The annual membership fee is R10 per person. As funds are always at a premium, people attending are also asked for a small contribution towards the expenses of the election campaign. This is absolutely voluntary, but we still ask DA supporters supporters to kindly consider this.
Indien u bereid is om ‘n huisvergadering aan te bied, tree asseblief met Johan Thiart by 042-296-1976 of 082-896-7258 in verbinding sodat die nodige reëlings getref kan word. Ons sien daarna uit om gou van u te hoor. Aan diegene wat reeds hulle huis beskikbaar gestel het: ons innige dank en waardering.
Johan Thiart (Chairperson/Voorsitter)
Die toekomstige Wyk 3 sal waarskynlik ‘n gebied insluit wat strek vanaf die kruising van dr. A D Keetstraat en Noorsekloofweg tot onder by die see en dan al langs die strand in die rigting van Port Elizabeth sodat Kabeljouws en Eedenglen ingesluit word. Die kloof by Firethornstraat sal die noord-westelike grens vorm.
In view of the municipal election in 2011, the DA has embarked on a system of house meetings at which the residents attending are informed of the aims and goals of the DA, and are encouraged to enrol as members. Several house meetings have already been held and a number of persons enrolled as members. The annual membership fee is R10 per person. As funds are always at a premium, people attending are also asked for a small contribution towards the expenses of the election campaign. This is absolutely voluntary, but we still ask DA supporters supporters to kindly consider this.
Indien u bereid is om ‘n huisvergadering aan te bied, tree asseblief met Johan Thiart by 042-296-1976 of 082-896-7258 in verbinding sodat die nodige reëlings getref kan word. Ons sien daarna uit om gou van u te hoor. Aan diegene wat reeds hulle huis beskikbaar gestel het: ons innige dank en waardering.
Johan Thiart (Chairperson/Voorsitter)
Water crisis caused by lack of planning
The water crisis in the province is as a result of lack of planning by the Provincial Department of Local Government.
The MEC for Local Government, Sicelo Gqobana, has been grossly negligent in not acting faster to alleviate our drought and water crisis in time.
Despite the drought now two years in duration, emergency measures to conserve water have been pitiful.
In terms of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997 section 13, every municipality in the province must develop a Water Services Development Plan and include plans to maintain water infrastructure while in section J) the plan must contain plans for water conservation and recycling.
The MEC must obtain these reports and monitor these plans.
With 70% of Mthatha water lost through leaks and 37% of water in the Nelson Mandela Metro lost in the same way clearly maintenance of water infrastructure is a huge priority.
Furthermore, with only two municipalities having water engineers (Amathole 3 and Metro 2) water management in the province is at crisis levels.
Due to the inaction of local government to intervene in this matter with appropriate conservation measures, the Metro only started interventions in March — two years after the onset of the drought.
As part of crisis management by the Metro, plans to install a desalination plant costing in excess of R600 million have been agreed to.
However, with production costs in excess of R8.40 per k/l to recycle this water and a whopping 22% electricity tariff increase set for July, the citizens of the Metro are being forced to pay for these costs due to the ineptitude of the department.
The Democratic Alliance will during the Local Government budget vote in the Provincial Legislature today be asking the MEC for Local Government about his failure to timeously intervene in this crisis.
In addition, the DA will be proposing cost effective solutions to manage this crises by suggesting that petitions from communities assist the department in identifying and immediately repairing faulty water infrastructure.
Furthermore, in terms of the Preamble to Chapter 8 of the National Water Act, the DA will be asking for the establishment of Water User Associations that will assist and empower communities to conserve water and for immediate employment of the minimum requirement of Water Engineers in every municipality.
The MEC for Local Government, Sicelo Gqobana, has been grossly negligent in not acting faster to alleviate our drought and water crisis in time.
Despite the drought now two years in duration, emergency measures to conserve water have been pitiful.
In terms of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997 section 13, every municipality in the province must develop a Water Services Development Plan and include plans to maintain water infrastructure while in section J) the plan must contain plans for water conservation and recycling.
The MEC must obtain these reports and monitor these plans.
With 70% of Mthatha water lost through leaks and 37% of water in the Nelson Mandela Metro lost in the same way clearly maintenance of water infrastructure is a huge priority.
Furthermore, with only two municipalities having water engineers (Amathole 3 and Metro 2) water management in the province is at crisis levels.
Due to the inaction of local government to intervene in this matter with appropriate conservation measures, the Metro only started interventions in March — two years after the onset of the drought.
As part of crisis management by the Metro, plans to install a desalination plant costing in excess of R600 million have been agreed to.
However, with production costs in excess of R8.40 per k/l to recycle this water and a whopping 22% electricity tariff increase set for July, the citizens of the Metro are being forced to pay for these costs due to the ineptitude of the department.
The Democratic Alliance will during the Local Government budget vote in the Provincial Legislature today be asking the MEC for Local Government about his failure to timeously intervene in this crisis.
In addition, the DA will be proposing cost effective solutions to manage this crises by suggesting that petitions from communities assist the department in identifying and immediately repairing faulty water infrastructure.
Furthermore, in terms of the Preamble to Chapter 8 of the National Water Act, the DA will be asking for the establishment of Water User Associations that will assist and empower communities to conserve water and for immediate employment of the minimum requirement of Water Engineers in every municipality.
08 June, 2010
Ward 3 committee meeting: 25 March 2010
Minutes of the committee meeting held on Thursday, 25th March 2010 at 16:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.
Present
J Thiart (Chairperson) Dr. B Vosloo, J Davel, Clr. Dr. N Botha, H Thiart (acting secretary)
Absent/Apologies
O Bellingan, C Womersley.
Opening and Welcome
The Chairman extends a word of welcome to all present and opens the meeting with a prayer.
Confirmation of the Minutes of 4th March 2010
The minutes, having previously been circulated, are taken as read and approved of on the proposal of J Davel, seconded by B Vosloo.
Matters arising from the minutes
(a) It is extremely difficult to find volunteers to help with the enrolment of members. At the last meeting the names of Kabeljouws residents Marie-Louise Daniels, Elmarie Mostert, Mymie van der Berg and Mason Ranger were mentioned as possible helpers. They will again be approached, and also asked to arrange a house meeting for six or eight interested voters.
(b) Dr. Botha confirms that minutes of committee meetings should also be forwarded to the regional office in Humansdorp.
(c) It is resolved that DA members residing in the the “old” Ward 3 will be co-opted to assist in the “new” Ward 3. The names of Gert Strydom and Constand Bezuidenhout are mentioned.
(d) The first house meeting will held be at the home of Barry and Rita Vosloo, 17 Tamarisk Square. The Vosloos are thanked for their kind gesture. J Davel promises that they will also make their home available for such a meeting at a later date.
New matters
General
(a) The Chairman reports that Mr Ossie Belligan has resigned as secretary as he cannot attend all meetings. However, he is willing to remain a committee member if this is acceptable to the committee. Henda Thiart will assume the responsibilities of Acting Secretary.
(b) Dr. Botha reports that Mr. C Rossouw of 15 Palm Cresent, a new resident in town, has made himself available as an aspirant candidate in Ward 3 for the 2011 elections.
(c) The committee notes that representation on the Electoral College to support the candidate is determined by the number of enrolled members in a Ward.
(d) The committee notes that knowledgeable persons should be co-opted on the committee.
Strategy for the 2011 municipal election
As indicated above the enrolment of members are of great importance. House meetings are identified as a strategy to affect this, to inform voters of salient issues and to afford them of the opportunity to ask questions. Clr. Botha will address house meetings. He will deal with various issues, including national goals of the DA and the strategic goals of the DA in the Jeffreys Bay region.
Fund raising
A list of potential donors has been drawn up and certain members identified to approach them.
Visit of Mr. Dan Plato, Mayor of Cape Town
Clr. Botha informs the meeting that Mr. Plato will visit our area on 27 March 2010 to address a meeting in the Cultural Centre, Humansdorp at 15:00. Mr. Athol Trollip will also be attending the meeting. Clr. Botha appeals to members to support this event.
The next meeting will be held on 6th May 2010 at 16:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.
Present
J Thiart (Chairperson) Dr. B Vosloo, J Davel, Clr. Dr. N Botha, H Thiart (acting secretary)
Absent/Apologies
O Bellingan, C Womersley.
Opening and Welcome
The Chairman extends a word of welcome to all present and opens the meeting with a prayer.
Confirmation of the Minutes of 4th March 2010
The minutes, having previously been circulated, are taken as read and approved of on the proposal of J Davel, seconded by B Vosloo.
Matters arising from the minutes
(a) It is extremely difficult to find volunteers to help with the enrolment of members. At the last meeting the names of Kabeljouws residents Marie-Louise Daniels, Elmarie Mostert, Mymie van der Berg and Mason Ranger were mentioned as possible helpers. They will again be approached, and also asked to arrange a house meeting for six or eight interested voters.
(b) Dr. Botha confirms that minutes of committee meetings should also be forwarded to the regional office in Humansdorp.
(c) It is resolved that DA members residing in the the “old” Ward 3 will be co-opted to assist in the “new” Ward 3. The names of Gert Strydom and Constand Bezuidenhout are mentioned.
(d) The first house meeting will held be at the home of Barry and Rita Vosloo, 17 Tamarisk Square. The Vosloos are thanked for their kind gesture. J Davel promises that they will also make their home available for such a meeting at a later date.
New matters
General
(a) The Chairman reports that Mr Ossie Belligan has resigned as secretary as he cannot attend all meetings. However, he is willing to remain a committee member if this is acceptable to the committee. Henda Thiart will assume the responsibilities of Acting Secretary.
(b) Dr. Botha reports that Mr. C Rossouw of 15 Palm Cresent, a new resident in town, has made himself available as an aspirant candidate in Ward 3 for the 2011 elections.
(c) The committee notes that representation on the Electoral College to support the candidate is determined by the number of enrolled members in a Ward.
(d) The committee notes that knowledgeable persons should be co-opted on the committee.
Strategy for the 2011 municipal election
As indicated above the enrolment of members are of great importance. House meetings are identified as a strategy to affect this, to inform voters of salient issues and to afford them of the opportunity to ask questions. Clr. Botha will address house meetings. He will deal with various issues, including national goals of the DA and the strategic goals of the DA in the Jeffreys Bay region.
Fund raising
A list of potential donors has been drawn up and certain members identified to approach them.
Visit of Mr. Dan Plato, Mayor of Cape Town
Clr. Botha informs the meeting that Mr. Plato will visit our area on 27 March 2010 to address a meeting in the Cultural Centre, Humansdorp at 15:00. Mr. Athol Trollip will also be attending the meeting. Clr. Botha appeals to members to support this event.
The next meeting will be held on 6th May 2010 at 16:00 at the Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.
Ward 14 committee meeting: 17 June 2010
Notice of meeting
A Ward 14 committee meeting will be held at 8 Loerie Avenue, Aston Bay on 17 June 2010 at 17.00
Agenda
1. Opening/welcome
2. Apologies
3. Report on first phase of voters' registration drive
4. Strategic planning for 2010-2011
a. Registration of new members
b. Information document
c. House meetings and focus: Aston Bay, Marina Martinique, Tokyo Sexwale
d. Establishment of sub committees in Paradise Beach, Aston Bay, Marina Martinique, Tokyo Sexwale
5. Fund raising/donation
Your presence at this first committee meeting is important and will be highly appreciated.
Pieter Butler
Chairman
June 2010
A Ward 14 committee meeting will be held at 8 Loerie Avenue, Aston Bay on 17 June 2010 at 17.00
Agenda
1. Opening/welcome
2. Apologies
3. Report on first phase of voters' registration drive
4. Strategic planning for 2010-2011
a. Registration of new members
b. Information document
c. House meetings and focus: Aston Bay, Marina Martinique, Tokyo Sexwale
d. Establishment of sub committees in Paradise Beach, Aston Bay, Marina Martinique, Tokyo Sexwale
5. Fund raising/donation
Your presence at this first committee meeting is important and will be highly appreciated.
Pieter Butler
Chairman
June 2010
Ward 3 news - 7 May 2010
On 27 May 2010 DA members elected their committee for this new ward. Although the delimitiation process is not yet complete, it is expected that the new Ward 14 will consist of Paradise Beach, Aston Bay, Marina Martinique, Tokyo Sexwale and/or Ocean View.
The following office bearers were elected:.
Chairperson: Pieter Butler
Deputy Chair: Basil Haworth
Secretary: Hester Carstens
Additional members: Thys Kruger, Louis Langner, Danny Benson
The following office bearers were elected:.
Chairperson: Pieter Butler
Deputy Chair: Basil Haworth
Secretary: Hester Carstens
Additional members: Thys Kruger, Louis Langner, Danny Benson
06 June, 2010
Co-ordinating Committee: 21 May 2010
Minutes of the Co-ordinating Committee meeting, Jeffreys Bay Region, held on 21 May 2010, at 15:00.
Attendance
N. Botha, J. Thiart, H. Thiart, M.Ungerer, B. Vosloo, P. Butler, J. Perils, J. Bosch, T. Kruger, D. Benson and D.Aldendorff.
Chairman N.Botha welcomed D. Benson to the meeting, which P. Butler opened with a prayer. D.Benson, a former colonel in the defence force and a resident of Ashton Bay, is interested in working with the DA. After discussion it was agreed he should assist P.Butler and T.Kruger in Ward 14.
Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were considered and accepted. Proposed H.Thiart and seconded B. Vosloo.
Matters arising
The Chairman reminded all the Wards that the closing date for membership was 31 May 2010. However, branches should continue recruiting new members even though these would not count towards establishing the number of delegates for congress etc. All new membership applications after 31 May 2010 cut-off date should be dated 1 Oct. 2010. It was agreed that those responsible for the money collected to date would meet at the Humansdorp office at 10h00 on 28 May 2010 to finalise payment.
Branches reported on their progress to date with regard to collecting subscriptions and recruiting new members as follows:
P. Butler reported that a meeting for the establishment of the new Paradise Beach branch, with a projected membership of 77, would take place on the 27 May 2010 at 16h00 to be held at the NG Church Hall.
J. Perils reported that despite difficulties, the Pellsrus branch would be launched on 26 May 2010 at 18h00 at a meeting to be held at the caravan park.
Wards 3, 8, and 11 reported progress in collecting subs and recruiting new members.
It was noted that house meetings were proving very popular and with all the meetings planned for June, it was becoming difficult to schedule these.
Strategic plan for the 2011 municipal election
B. Vosloo reported that the telephone number for M. Ungerer in the pamphlet “Working together to build a betterJeffreys Bay and surroundings” was incorrect. It should be 042 296 1546.
The meeting noted that O. Bellingan had resigned from the committee and it was decided that N. Botha, M. Ungerer and D. Aldendorff would present an outline of the proposed action plan for the 2011 at the next meeting.
B. Vosloo introduced J. Bosch, who has agreed to assist setting up a DA Blog for the Jeffreys Bay region. After a presentation, the meeting agreed that B. Vosloo should go ahead with the project. He would act as Blog Master with the sole authority to edit content from any contributor, while each Ward would be responsible for the upkeep of news in their Ward. There would be no cost for this service. The Chairman congratulated B. Vosloo for the hard work he put into the project. P. Butler requested B.Vosloo email the details of the proposed blog to him and he would distribute this to his members in Paradise Beach.
Finance
M.Ungerer reported that a meeting with farmers in Patensie to collect donations for the DA golf day had been successful and further meetings were planned.
The sale of tickets for the fundraiser scheduled for 5 June 2010 were encouraging. Tea and refreshments would be served on the day. All committee members should report to M. Ungerer with regard to the number of tickets sold by the 2 June 2010 to assist with catering. Volunteers are required to meet at 13h00 on the 5 June 2010 to assist with the tables and chairs.
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to M.Ungerer for the use of her home.
The next meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. M Ungerer, 11 Cherry Street, Wavecrest, on Friday, 25 June 2010, at 15:00.
Attendance
N. Botha, J. Thiart, H. Thiart, M.Ungerer, B. Vosloo, P. Butler, J. Perils, J. Bosch, T. Kruger, D. Benson and D.Aldendorff.
Chairman N.Botha welcomed D. Benson to the meeting, which P. Butler opened with a prayer. D.Benson, a former colonel in the defence force and a resident of Ashton Bay, is interested in working with the DA. After discussion it was agreed he should assist P.Butler and T.Kruger in Ward 14.
Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were considered and accepted. Proposed H.Thiart and seconded B. Vosloo.
Matters arising
The Chairman reminded all the Wards that the closing date for membership was 31 May 2010. However, branches should continue recruiting new members even though these would not count towards establishing the number of delegates for congress etc. All new membership applications after 31 May 2010 cut-off date should be dated 1 Oct. 2010. It was agreed that those responsible for the money collected to date would meet at the Humansdorp office at 10h00 on 28 May 2010 to finalise payment.
Branches reported on their progress to date with regard to collecting subscriptions and recruiting new members as follows:
P. Butler reported that a meeting for the establishment of the new Paradise Beach branch, with a projected membership of 77, would take place on the 27 May 2010 at 16h00 to be held at the NG Church Hall.
J. Perils reported that despite difficulties, the Pellsrus branch would be launched on 26 May 2010 at 18h00 at a meeting to be held at the caravan park.
Wards 3, 8, and 11 reported progress in collecting subs and recruiting new members.
It was noted that house meetings were proving very popular and with all the meetings planned for June, it was becoming difficult to schedule these.
Strategic plan for the 2011 municipal election
B. Vosloo reported that the telephone number for M. Ungerer in the pamphlet “Working together to build a betterJeffreys Bay and surroundings” was incorrect. It should be 042 296 1546.
The meeting noted that O. Bellingan had resigned from the committee and it was decided that N. Botha, M. Ungerer and D. Aldendorff would present an outline of the proposed action plan for the 2011 at the next meeting.
B. Vosloo introduced J. Bosch, who has agreed to assist setting up a DA Blog for the Jeffreys Bay region. After a presentation, the meeting agreed that B. Vosloo should go ahead with the project. He would act as Blog Master with the sole authority to edit content from any contributor, while each Ward would be responsible for the upkeep of news in their Ward. There would be no cost for this service. The Chairman congratulated B. Vosloo for the hard work he put into the project. P. Butler requested B.Vosloo email the details of the proposed blog to him and he would distribute this to his members in Paradise Beach.
Finance
M.Ungerer reported that a meeting with farmers in Patensie to collect donations for the DA golf day had been successful and further meetings were planned.
The sale of tickets for the fundraiser scheduled for 5 June 2010 were encouraging. Tea and refreshments would be served on the day. All committee members should report to M. Ungerer with regard to the number of tickets sold by the 2 June 2010 to assist with catering. Volunteers are required to meet at 13h00 on the 5 June 2010 to assist with the tables and chairs.
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to M.Ungerer for the use of her home.
The next meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. M Ungerer, 11 Cherry Street, Wavecrest, on Friday, 25 June 2010, at 15:00.
Notice of meeting
DATE: FRIDAY 25 JUNE 2010
TIME: 15H00.
VENUE: 11 CHERRY STREET, JEFFREYS BAY.
AGENDA
1. Opening/welcome.
2. Apologies.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting.
4. Matters arising out of the minutes.
5. Strategic plan for 2011 elections.
6. Progress report from all branches
- Actual number of subs collected from members
- Number of new members recruited
- House meetings.
7. Blog
8. Fundraising.
TIME: 15H00.
VENUE: 11 CHERRY STREET, JEFFREYS BAY.
AGENDA
1. Opening/welcome.
2. Apologies.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting.
4. Matters arising out of the minutes.
5. Strategic plan for 2011 elections.
6. Progress report from all branches
- Actual number of subs collected from members
- Number of new members recruited
- House meetings.
7. Blog
8. Fundraising.
05 June, 2010
Helen's weekly newsletter, 4 June 2010
The truth behind the so-called "toilet wars"
This week has been dominated by what the media have described as "toilet wars". And, as usual, in war of any kind, truth is always the first casualty.
This edition of SA Today sets out, for the record, the facts of this messy situation. The first fact is this: open toilets are a serious affront to human dignity and cannot be condoned.
So how did it happen that toilets without walls were provided to the residents of Silvertown, Makhaza, by the DA-controlled City of Cape Town?
The issue had its genesis under my watch as Mayor of Cape Town when the City began an ambitious programme to deliver services (such as water, sewerage, roads, storm water and electricity) to 223 informal settlements (home to around 650,000 shack dwellers) across the metropolitan area. Most of these settlements are the consequence of land invasions. Densities, and lack of planning, make "retrofitting" services in these areas a technically complex task.
But the technical difficulties pale into insignificance compared to the social complexities of upgrading a densely populated informal settlement. Inevitably, upgrading results in intense community conflict, as some people have to move to make way for service installation, and people vie for access to the jobs that upgrading offers. Usually, community conflict stalls delivery for many months, and often stops it altogether. Very few contractors wish to work on these projects because of the social conflict that inevitably arises, which is why they always cost more and take much longer than initially planned.
To facilitate these processes where possible, contractors usually employ a "community liaison officer" (CLO) to achieve consensus and minimise conflict. In Silvertown, the CLO was none other than ANC Youth League (ANCYL) regional secretary, Andile Lili, who achieved notoriety when he was one of the group smashing the toilet enclosures in pursuit of the ANCYL's call to destroy infrastructure and make the City "ungovernable".
In his paid position as CLO facilitating the Silvertown provision of services, Lili had played a key role in implementing an agreement that emerged from lengthy negotiations with the community about how to meet their priorities out of the available budget. The budget, based on the national norms for the upgrading of informal settlements, provides one flush toilet for every five families. But the community understandably wanted one flush toilet per family. The proposed way to achieve this was for the City to provide the toilets and plumbing connections, while the families themselves would make a contribution and enclose the toilets.
This seemed an ideal win-win solution. It certainly was for the 97% (1,265) of Silvertown families who built their toilet enclosures, often in the most innovative "en-suite" arrangements attached to their dwellings. But it did not work for 51 families (less than 3% of total beneficiaries). For whatever reason, they did not enclose their toilets, and some even used their open air toilets under cover of blankets.
The City resolved to end this indignity and to build toilet enclosures for the 51 - but faced resistance from the 1,265 families who argued that if they had built their enclosures themselves, so could the remaining 51. After listening to these arguments, Mayor Plato concluded that it would be untenable to continue with the indignity of open toilets. The City would therefore enclose the remaining toilets.
By this time, the ANCYL had realised it was on to a good thing. Photos of unenclosed toilets had appeared in the media. The ANCYL lost no time using this to "prove" the lie that the DA treats black people with indignity, and developed a keen interest in ensuring the toilets remained open.
Mayor Plato then personally walked around Silvertown, speaking to the 51 residents with unenclosed toilets. He received a signed agreement from each of them that the City would erect enclosures around their toilets.
The City then moved in and began doing so. But the ANC youth league broke down the enclosures as fast as they could be built - against the pleas of the owners to stop doing so. The police did their job and arrested two perpetrators on charges of malicious damage to property. But the community was largely intimidated into silence.
This left the City with only two options: to leave the toilets unenclosed, or to remove them.
The first option remained untenable. It was therefore resolved that the toilets would be temporarily removed until enclosures were built. Then the toilets would be returned. This could, theoretically, happen within a few days. In the meantime, the community would continue to be serviced by toilets on the national standard ratio of 5 families to 1 toilet (with a concrete enclosure).
Even this is far better than what is available in most informal settlements in ANC-run metropolitan areas. A recent National Treasury report found that Cape Town was well ahead of other metro municipalities in dealing with infrastructure backlogs and delivery of services. And Cape Town's service delivery lead is growing, despite the fact that the City faces massive urbanisation - pro rata higher than any other City in the sub-continent.
Cape Town would be even further ahead if it were not for the vandalism of municipal infrastructure, such as the wanton destruction of toilets perpetrated by the ANCYL last week.
According to Alderman Clive Justus, Cape Town's Mayco member for Utility Services, the City last year spent more than R80 million on repairing or replacing stolen or vandalised basic services in informal settlements.
For every R3 that the City spends of its R125 million annual budget for water and sanitation facilities in informal settlements, R2 is spent on repairs and replacement of vandalized or stolen infrastructure. According to Justus, if it were not for this lawlessness, the City would be able to upgrade informal settlements at three times the current rate.
Justus said recently that in the past financial year, the City had installed 422 water stand pipes, but had to effect 5 482 repairs to sabotaged or stolen pipes and taps.
In the same year, the City's Utility Services installed 2 458 toilets, but had to make 4 302 repairs to cisterns, pans, pipes and ablutions damaged by criminals.
Last December, 300 out of 464 toilets installed in a Delft informal settlement were broken or had parts stolen. In Philippi, vandals destroyed 26 ablution blocks containing six toilets each. In RR Section of Khayelitsha, chemical toilets were burned to the ground. This all happened within weeks of installation.
To address the theft of copper cabling, brass valves, lead batteries, manhole covers and water meters, the City is now using only plastic or steel pipes, and concrete for toilets. Underground electricity cables are now covered with concrete so that they can't be dug out. Cape Town's 'Copperheads' task team has also cracked down on dealers of stolen scrap metal. The City has even provided padlocks and chains to community leaders to keep toilet facilities secure overnight.
Justus warned that a new pattern is emerging, whereby plastic pipes are stolen, despite their minimal re-sale value, concrete toilets are smashed with axes, and even padlocks are being taken. This is pure vandalism.
City officials report that residents sometimes vandalise facilities to secure more jobs in the subsequent repair programmes on the basis of the City's "local employment" policies, creating a perverse incentive for people to destroy newly installed infrastructure, to secure employment in the repair work. When contractors employ other outside labour, local communities often drive them out of the area, delaying projects by months and years. This pushes up the cost of services in informal settlements.
We have come to the conclusion that the best way to instill a sense of ownership and an ethos of respecting property, is for each family to contribute to the construction and maintenance of their own toilet. The perfect condition of the enclosed "en suite" toilets in Silvertown is evidence of this.
But this type of intervention which encourages self-reliance and initiative does not suit the ANC Youth League who would rather ensure that people remain passive and powerless recipients of government handouts.
We have seen through the ANCYL's strategy and it is time for the community to do so too. Unless they stand up for their rights against the intimidation of the ANC Youth League, they will remain victims and forfeit the power to change their lives.
This week has been dominated by what the media have described as "toilet wars". And, as usual, in war of any kind, truth is always the first casualty.
This edition of SA Today sets out, for the record, the facts of this messy situation. The first fact is this: open toilets are a serious affront to human dignity and cannot be condoned.
So how did it happen that toilets without walls were provided to the residents of Silvertown, Makhaza, by the DA-controlled City of Cape Town?
The issue had its genesis under my watch as Mayor of Cape Town when the City began an ambitious programme to deliver services (such as water, sewerage, roads, storm water and electricity) to 223 informal settlements (home to around 650,000 shack dwellers) across the metropolitan area. Most of these settlements are the consequence of land invasions. Densities, and lack of planning, make "retrofitting" services in these areas a technically complex task.
But the technical difficulties pale into insignificance compared to the social complexities of upgrading a densely populated informal settlement. Inevitably, upgrading results in intense community conflict, as some people have to move to make way for service installation, and people vie for access to the jobs that upgrading offers. Usually, community conflict stalls delivery for many months, and often stops it altogether. Very few contractors wish to work on these projects because of the social conflict that inevitably arises, which is why they always cost more and take much longer than initially planned.
To facilitate these processes where possible, contractors usually employ a "community liaison officer" (CLO) to achieve consensus and minimise conflict. In Silvertown, the CLO was none other than ANC Youth League (ANCYL) regional secretary, Andile Lili, who achieved notoriety when he was one of the group smashing the toilet enclosures in pursuit of the ANCYL's call to destroy infrastructure and make the City "ungovernable".
In his paid position as CLO facilitating the Silvertown provision of services, Lili had played a key role in implementing an agreement that emerged from lengthy negotiations with the community about how to meet their priorities out of the available budget. The budget, based on the national norms for the upgrading of informal settlements, provides one flush toilet for every five families. But the community understandably wanted one flush toilet per family. The proposed way to achieve this was for the City to provide the toilets and plumbing connections, while the families themselves would make a contribution and enclose the toilets.
This seemed an ideal win-win solution. It certainly was for the 97% (1,265) of Silvertown families who built their toilet enclosures, often in the most innovative "en-suite" arrangements attached to their dwellings. But it did not work for 51 families (less than 3% of total beneficiaries). For whatever reason, they did not enclose their toilets, and some even used their open air toilets under cover of blankets.
The City resolved to end this indignity and to build toilet enclosures for the 51 - but faced resistance from the 1,265 families who argued that if they had built their enclosures themselves, so could the remaining 51. After listening to these arguments, Mayor Plato concluded that it would be untenable to continue with the indignity of open toilets. The City would therefore enclose the remaining toilets.
By this time, the ANCYL had realised it was on to a good thing. Photos of unenclosed toilets had appeared in the media. The ANCYL lost no time using this to "prove" the lie that the DA treats black people with indignity, and developed a keen interest in ensuring the toilets remained open.
Mayor Plato then personally walked around Silvertown, speaking to the 51 residents with unenclosed toilets. He received a signed agreement from each of them that the City would erect enclosures around their toilets.
The City then moved in and began doing so. But the ANC youth league broke down the enclosures as fast as they could be built - against the pleas of the owners to stop doing so. The police did their job and arrested two perpetrators on charges of malicious damage to property. But the community was largely intimidated into silence.
This left the City with only two options: to leave the toilets unenclosed, or to remove them.
The first option remained untenable. It was therefore resolved that the toilets would be temporarily removed until enclosures were built. Then the toilets would be returned. This could, theoretically, happen within a few days. In the meantime, the community would continue to be serviced by toilets on the national standard ratio of 5 families to 1 toilet (with a concrete enclosure).
Even this is far better than what is available in most informal settlements in ANC-run metropolitan areas. A recent National Treasury report found that Cape Town was well ahead of other metro municipalities in dealing with infrastructure backlogs and delivery of services. And Cape Town's service delivery lead is growing, despite the fact that the City faces massive urbanisation - pro rata higher than any other City in the sub-continent.
Cape Town would be even further ahead if it were not for the vandalism of municipal infrastructure, such as the wanton destruction of toilets perpetrated by the ANCYL last week.
According to Alderman Clive Justus, Cape Town's Mayco member for Utility Services, the City last year spent more than R80 million on repairing or replacing stolen or vandalised basic services in informal settlements.
For every R3 that the City spends of its R125 million annual budget for water and sanitation facilities in informal settlements, R2 is spent on repairs and replacement of vandalized or stolen infrastructure. According to Justus, if it were not for this lawlessness, the City would be able to upgrade informal settlements at three times the current rate.
Justus said recently that in the past financial year, the City had installed 422 water stand pipes, but had to effect 5 482 repairs to sabotaged or stolen pipes and taps.
In the same year, the City's Utility Services installed 2 458 toilets, but had to make 4 302 repairs to cisterns, pans, pipes and ablutions damaged by criminals.
Last December, 300 out of 464 toilets installed in a Delft informal settlement were broken or had parts stolen. In Philippi, vandals destroyed 26 ablution blocks containing six toilets each. In RR Section of Khayelitsha, chemical toilets were burned to the ground. This all happened within weeks of installation.
To address the theft of copper cabling, brass valves, lead batteries, manhole covers and water meters, the City is now using only plastic or steel pipes, and concrete for toilets. Underground electricity cables are now covered with concrete so that they can't be dug out. Cape Town's 'Copperheads' task team has also cracked down on dealers of stolen scrap metal. The City has even provided padlocks and chains to community leaders to keep toilet facilities secure overnight.
Justus warned that a new pattern is emerging, whereby plastic pipes are stolen, despite their minimal re-sale value, concrete toilets are smashed with axes, and even padlocks are being taken. This is pure vandalism.
City officials report that residents sometimes vandalise facilities to secure more jobs in the subsequent repair programmes on the basis of the City's "local employment" policies, creating a perverse incentive for people to destroy newly installed infrastructure, to secure employment in the repair work. When contractors employ other outside labour, local communities often drive them out of the area, delaying projects by months and years. This pushes up the cost of services in informal settlements.
We have come to the conclusion that the best way to instill a sense of ownership and an ethos of respecting property, is for each family to contribute to the construction and maintenance of their own toilet. The perfect condition of the enclosed "en suite" toilets in Silvertown is evidence of this.
But this type of intervention which encourages self-reliance and initiative does not suit the ANC Youth League who would rather ensure that people remain passive and powerless recipients of government handouts.
We have seen through the ANCYL's strategy and it is time for the community to do so too. Unless they stand up for their rights against the intimidation of the ANC Youth League, they will remain victims and forfeit the power to change their lives.
04 June, 2010
Exams postponed as teachers protest
June 3rd, 2010
Thousands of Eastern Cape pupils will miss their exams today after the Education Department postponed tests for certain grades due to a SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) protest.
DA education spokesman Edmund van Vuuren said the protest was unacceptable, especially during the exams period. “Why must children suffer because the teachers are unhappy?” he asked.
Thousands of Eastern Cape pupils will miss their exams today after the Education Department postponed tests for certain grades due to a SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) protest.
DA education spokesman Edmund van Vuuren said the protest was unacceptable, especially during the exams period. “Why must children suffer because the teachers are unhappy?” he asked.
DA to oppose departmental budgets
One of the most important annual debates in the Eastern Cape Legislature commences on Tuesday afternoon, when the budgets of the various departments will be considered in the House.
The next four days will again be a landmark in the recent history of the current DA caucus, as all indications are that the party will oppose at least two budgets.
The debates will take place as follows:
Tuesday, 1 June: Consideration of budgets: Premier’s Office, Agriculture and Education.
Wednesday, 2 June: Consideration of budgets: Housing, Health, Local Government, Provincial Treasury, Consideration of Eastern Cape Political Party Fund Bill.
Thursday, 3 June: Consideration of budgets: Public Works, Social Development, Economic Development, Sport & Recreation, Consideration of Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency Bill.
Friday, 4 June: Consideration of budgets: Roads and Transport, Safety & Liaison, Consideration of Appropriation Bill. The contributions of the DA MPLs will be posted under “speeches” on this website.
The next four days will again be a landmark in the recent history of the current DA caucus, as all indications are that the party will oppose at least two budgets.
The debates will take place as follows:
Tuesday, 1 June: Consideration of budgets: Premier’s Office, Agriculture and Education.
Wednesday, 2 June: Consideration of budgets: Housing, Health, Local Government, Provincial Treasury, Consideration of Eastern Cape Political Party Fund Bill.
Thursday, 3 June: Consideration of budgets: Public Works, Social Development, Economic Development, Sport & Recreation, Consideration of Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency Bill.
Friday, 4 June: Consideration of budgets: Roads and Transport, Safety & Liaison, Consideration of Appropriation Bill. The contributions of the DA MPLs will be posted under “speeches” on this website.
Helen's weekly newspaper, 28 May 2010
Overcoming the political paradox of our times
On Wednesday the DA won two by-elections, one in Heideveld/Gugulethu and one in Grabouw. These were considered safe ANC seats. The DA has never come close to winning them in the past. What’s more, if there are any white voters in either of them, it cannot be more than a handful.
These results should put an end – once and for all – to the ANC’s repeated lie that the DA is a white party, that we are “racist” and that we want to bring back apartheid. These attempts to discredit us just don’t wash anymore: the DA has now won eight seats from the ANC in by-elections since the 2009 election. In fact, the ANC has not won a single by-election in the Western Cape in this period.
What does this tell us?
It tells us that more and more people who have always loyally voted for the ANC now realise that the ANC does not own them. They understand that blind loyalty requires them to sacrifice the most effective power they have in a democracy. That power is the right to change their mind. Exercising this right is actually a responsibility. It is what holds politicians accountable for their actions. Voters who exercise this right drive development and progress.
The result in Grabouw was even more significant than Heideveld/Gugulethu, because Grabouw is the first ward the DA has ever won where there is a majority of black voters. In 2006, the last local government election, the DA won only 9,6% of the vote in this ward. On Wednesday this week, we won 48,13% compared with the ANC’s 44,8% (down from 71,7%). This sea of change warrants detailed analysis, but the DA’s excellent candidate (who connected with all voters) and the high standard of political organisation had a lot to do with our success.
The DA has over the past four years established a very strong voter base in coloured communities, as the Heideveld/Gugulethu results re-confirmed. But significant progress amongst black voters has eluded us until the breakthrough in Grabouw.
This breakthrough is not only in the interests of the DA. Breaking the racial logjam is essential for democracy in South Africa to survive. If elections are always a racial census, one party will always be in power. This has been the root cause of the ‘failed state’ phenomenon on our continent. Knowing they won’t ever be voted out of office is what leads politicians to abuse power and to steal people’s money in an ever-worsening spiral of corruption. They have the freedom to loot with freedom from accountability.
The greatest political challenge we have in South Africa is to ensure that voters’ choices are not based on race, but on alternative policy choices for the future. A shift closer to this ideal is in everyone’s interest, because unless we achieve it, the chances are great that we will also end up as a failed state.
But before we get carried away about the latest results, we must bear in mind the greatest obstacle to consolidating our democracy: a ruling party which tolerates the Constitution (and the democratic rights and freedoms it contains) only as long as it is winning elections.
This week’s victory was tempered by the behaviour of ANC activists who – aided and abetted by senior ANC leaders – tried to violently disrupt a DA meeting in Gugulethu on the eve of the by-election. This showed the lengths the ANC will go to when it is threatened in an area it considers its own. It was an ominous foreshadowing of what could be unleashed in the future when the ANC realises it is in danger of losing a national election.
Such incidents form part of a growing pattern across the country since August last year. In addition to what happened in Gugulethu this week, DA meetings have been violently disrupted in Kaya Sands, Soshanguve (both in Gauteng) and in Tlokwe in the North West province. Our Youth Leader in Mpumalanga received death threats when he exposed ANC corruption in the Thembisile municipality. A DA activist was shot in the neck in Atlantis in the Western Cape while putting up posters for a by-election there.
The ANC’s efforts to stop the DA from campaigning are mirrored in its attempts to prevent us from governing. This week in Khayelitsha the ANC Youth League destroyed toilet enclosures erected by the City of Cape Town, despite the protestations of the residents they were intended for. This was followed by the Youth League's call to make the entire city “ungovernable” by vandalising all council-owned property. “We are going to destroy everything,” announced Loyiso Nkohla, ANC Youth League regional executive member.
In parallel, are the ANC’s attempts to curtail our powers where we govern through legislation. The draft Green Paper on Co-operative Governance that I discussed in this newsletter last week is one such example. It is designed to reduce local and provincial governments to mere implementing agencies of the national government – regardless of the mandate the governing party in a province or municipality has from the voters.
The ANC’s determination to retain power by any means necessary points to the great paradox of our times. For our constitutional democracy to succeed there must be an alternation of power at national level – because the longer the ANC is in power, the more it will abuse that power. But the greater the likelihood of the ANC losing power, the more the ANC will use unconstitutional and even violent means to hang on to it.
It is like something out of Joseph Heller’s Catch 22.
How do we solve this conundrum? How do we succeed in winning power from the ANC when the more successful we are, the more the ANC will try to close down the democratic space?
This is no easy task because it depends, to a great extent, on the leadership of the ANC itself. It will depend on whether or not they respect the Constitution and the limitations it places on their own power. And we know that the current ruling clique believes that the ANC is more important than the Constitution; that liberation is about seizing all instruments of power, not the limitation and dispersal of power.
Nevertheless, we must work hard to entrench a democratic culture in our country. Just like two football teams agree on the rules before a game and accept the outcome – even if they are on the losing side – so too must political parties. People need to internalise these rules and hold political parties to them.
We will play our part by continuing to expose the ANC’s unconstitutional attempts to shut down the democratic space. We will show people that the victims of the ANC’s anti-democratic tendencies are not opposition parties, but the people themselves.
Most importantly, we will continue with our mission of building an open, opportunity society for all in the places we govern. We will show how, in practice and over time, this is preferable to the closed, crony society for comrades only.
As recent by-election results show, more and more people are already getting the message. But this is no time for complacency. We will redouble our efforts to take this message beyond the Western Cape and bring about lasting and meaningful change in our country.
On Wednesday the DA won two by-elections, one in Heideveld/Gugulethu and one in Grabouw. These were considered safe ANC seats. The DA has never come close to winning them in the past. What’s more, if there are any white voters in either of them, it cannot be more than a handful.
These results should put an end – once and for all – to the ANC’s repeated lie that the DA is a white party, that we are “racist” and that we want to bring back apartheid. These attempts to discredit us just don’t wash anymore: the DA has now won eight seats from the ANC in by-elections since the 2009 election. In fact, the ANC has not won a single by-election in the Western Cape in this period.
What does this tell us?
It tells us that more and more people who have always loyally voted for the ANC now realise that the ANC does not own them. They understand that blind loyalty requires them to sacrifice the most effective power they have in a democracy. That power is the right to change their mind. Exercising this right is actually a responsibility. It is what holds politicians accountable for their actions. Voters who exercise this right drive development and progress.
The result in Grabouw was even more significant than Heideveld/Gugulethu, because Grabouw is the first ward the DA has ever won where there is a majority of black voters. In 2006, the last local government election, the DA won only 9,6% of the vote in this ward. On Wednesday this week, we won 48,13% compared with the ANC’s 44,8% (down from 71,7%). This sea of change warrants detailed analysis, but the DA’s excellent candidate (who connected with all voters) and the high standard of political organisation had a lot to do with our success.
The DA has over the past four years established a very strong voter base in coloured communities, as the Heideveld/Gugulethu results re-confirmed. But significant progress amongst black voters has eluded us until the breakthrough in Grabouw.
This breakthrough is not only in the interests of the DA. Breaking the racial logjam is essential for democracy in South Africa to survive. If elections are always a racial census, one party will always be in power. This has been the root cause of the ‘failed state’ phenomenon on our continent. Knowing they won’t ever be voted out of office is what leads politicians to abuse power and to steal people’s money in an ever-worsening spiral of corruption. They have the freedom to loot with freedom from accountability.
The greatest political challenge we have in South Africa is to ensure that voters’ choices are not based on race, but on alternative policy choices for the future. A shift closer to this ideal is in everyone’s interest, because unless we achieve it, the chances are great that we will also end up as a failed state.
But before we get carried away about the latest results, we must bear in mind the greatest obstacle to consolidating our democracy: a ruling party which tolerates the Constitution (and the democratic rights and freedoms it contains) only as long as it is winning elections.
This week’s victory was tempered by the behaviour of ANC activists who – aided and abetted by senior ANC leaders – tried to violently disrupt a DA meeting in Gugulethu on the eve of the by-election. This showed the lengths the ANC will go to when it is threatened in an area it considers its own. It was an ominous foreshadowing of what could be unleashed in the future when the ANC realises it is in danger of losing a national election.
Such incidents form part of a growing pattern across the country since August last year. In addition to what happened in Gugulethu this week, DA meetings have been violently disrupted in Kaya Sands, Soshanguve (both in Gauteng) and in Tlokwe in the North West province. Our Youth Leader in Mpumalanga received death threats when he exposed ANC corruption in the Thembisile municipality. A DA activist was shot in the neck in Atlantis in the Western Cape while putting up posters for a by-election there.
The ANC’s efforts to stop the DA from campaigning are mirrored in its attempts to prevent us from governing. This week in Khayelitsha the ANC Youth League destroyed toilet enclosures erected by the City of Cape Town, despite the protestations of the residents they were intended for. This was followed by the Youth League's call to make the entire city “ungovernable” by vandalising all council-owned property. “We are going to destroy everything,” announced Loyiso Nkohla, ANC Youth League regional executive member.
In parallel, are the ANC’s attempts to curtail our powers where we govern through legislation. The draft Green Paper on Co-operative Governance that I discussed in this newsletter last week is one such example. It is designed to reduce local and provincial governments to mere implementing agencies of the national government – regardless of the mandate the governing party in a province or municipality has from the voters.
The ANC’s determination to retain power by any means necessary points to the great paradox of our times. For our constitutional democracy to succeed there must be an alternation of power at national level – because the longer the ANC is in power, the more it will abuse that power. But the greater the likelihood of the ANC losing power, the more the ANC will use unconstitutional and even violent means to hang on to it.
It is like something out of Joseph Heller’s Catch 22.
How do we solve this conundrum? How do we succeed in winning power from the ANC when the more successful we are, the more the ANC will try to close down the democratic space?
This is no easy task because it depends, to a great extent, on the leadership of the ANC itself. It will depend on whether or not they respect the Constitution and the limitations it places on their own power. And we know that the current ruling clique believes that the ANC is more important than the Constitution; that liberation is about seizing all instruments of power, not the limitation and dispersal of power.
Nevertheless, we must work hard to entrench a democratic culture in our country. Just like two football teams agree on the rules before a game and accept the outcome – even if they are on the losing side – so too must political parties. People need to internalise these rules and hold political parties to them.
We will play our part by continuing to expose the ANC’s unconstitutional attempts to shut down the democratic space. We will show people that the victims of the ANC’s anti-democratic tendencies are not opposition parties, but the people themselves.
Most importantly, we will continue with our mission of building an open, opportunity society for all in the places we govern. We will show how, in practice and over time, this is preferable to the closed, crony society for comrades only.
As recent by-election results show, more and more people are already getting the message. But this is no time for complacency. We will redouble our efforts to take this message beyond the Western Cape and bring about lasting and meaningful change in our country.
03 June, 2010
Excerpts from the Mayor's Budget Speech - 27 May 2010
Transparency
The administration had put teams together to go to the different wards to listen to inputs from the community. Madam Speaker, let me use the opportunity to thank all ward councillors for chairing these sessions. Also, a word of appreciation to members of the community for making valuable and insightful submissions.
I want to assure you that your contributions have been taken into account in the final budget that is submitted to Council. However, some of your requests could not be accommodated as only matter included in our IDP [Integrated Development Plan] can be considered for budget purposes. I have instructed the administration to accommodate the new submissions in our IDP review process.
Economic crunch
We are extremely sensitive to the economic crunch that impacts negatively on the lives of our communities. As a result we have during the meeting of our Budget Committee explored the possibility of granting more relief to our pensioners by, for instance, increasing the limit for indigent subsidy.
Medium term objectives
We attempted to utilize a community based development model whereby the needs of the public were elicited by ward and the ranking determined by the backlog in basic services.
Where the 2090/2010 budget was focussed on the delivery of basic services as well as attempting to improve social development, the 2010/2011 budget is a defined effort to address the delivery of water and sanitation. We cannot as local government sit back while the poor household does not have ample potable water and safe sanitation. Infrastructure development for the delivery of basic services to the poorest of the poor [therefore] received the largest allocation.
An increase in employment of approximately 10% is indicative of our commitment to lower unemployment. A significant increased budgetary allocation is made to local economic development to fortify our effort to address poverty
Operating budget
The operational revenue will be sourced as follows
• Assessment rates R115 million
• Electricity R138 million
• Water R37 million
• Sewerage R26 million
• Refuse R18 million
• Equitable share R33 million.
The main tariff increases remains unchanged from the tabling of the draft budget at:
• Assessment rates 5.7%
• Electricity 28.5% (average)
• Sewerage Revised hydraulic tariff
• Refuse 5.7%
• Water Revised
The provisions for staff costs accounts for 35% of the total operating budget. Salaries increase by 9.5%. This is in line with the collective agreement reached by the South African Local Government Bargaining Council.
Capital budget
• Governance and Administration nil million
• Community and Public Safety R5.7 million
• Economic and Environmental Services R2 million
• Trading Services R32 million
Infrastructure and Service Delivery receives 82% of the capital budget. The actual projects associated with these capital outlays can be found in the Budget and IDP.
Praise
It is important to mention the following as an indication of the ability of the organization [Kouga Municipality] to take us forward into the new election period thus giving confidence to the public:
1. We were commended for the best Integrated Development Plan (IDP) by the Provincial Government;
2. Recognition was granted to us for the best model of Annual Report;
3. We won the runner up award for Housing Delivery;
4. To crown it all we received an Unqualified Audit Report, excellent.
(Although DAtanet cannot vouch for it, the full text of the Mayor’s Budget Speech should be found on the Kouga Municipality website, www.kougamunicipality.gov.za)
The administration had put teams together to go to the different wards to listen to inputs from the community. Madam Speaker, let me use the opportunity to thank all ward councillors for chairing these sessions. Also, a word of appreciation to members of the community for making valuable and insightful submissions.
I want to assure you that your contributions have been taken into account in the final budget that is submitted to Council. However, some of your requests could not be accommodated as only matter included in our IDP [Integrated Development Plan] can be considered for budget purposes. I have instructed the administration to accommodate the new submissions in our IDP review process.
Economic crunch
We are extremely sensitive to the economic crunch that impacts negatively on the lives of our communities. As a result we have during the meeting of our Budget Committee explored the possibility of granting more relief to our pensioners by, for instance, increasing the limit for indigent subsidy.
Medium term objectives
We attempted to utilize a community based development model whereby the needs of the public were elicited by ward and the ranking determined by the backlog in basic services.
Where the 2090/2010 budget was focussed on the delivery of basic services as well as attempting to improve social development, the 2010/2011 budget is a defined effort to address the delivery of water and sanitation. We cannot as local government sit back while the poor household does not have ample potable water and safe sanitation. Infrastructure development for the delivery of basic services to the poorest of the poor [therefore] received the largest allocation.
An increase in employment of approximately 10% is indicative of our commitment to lower unemployment. A significant increased budgetary allocation is made to local economic development to fortify our effort to address poverty
Operating budget
The operational revenue will be sourced as follows
• Assessment rates R115 million
• Electricity R138 million
• Water R37 million
• Sewerage R26 million
• Refuse R18 million
• Equitable share R33 million.
The main tariff increases remains unchanged from the tabling of the draft budget at:
• Assessment rates 5.7%
• Electricity 28.5% (average)
• Sewerage Revised hydraulic tariff
• Refuse 5.7%
• Water Revised
The provisions for staff costs accounts for 35% of the total operating budget. Salaries increase by 9.5%. This is in line with the collective agreement reached by the South African Local Government Bargaining Council.
Capital budget
• Governance and Administration nil million
• Community and Public Safety R5.7 million
• Economic and Environmental Services R2 million
• Trading Services R32 million
Infrastructure and Service Delivery receives 82% of the capital budget. The actual projects associated with these capital outlays can be found in the Budget and IDP.
Praise
It is important to mention the following as an indication of the ability of the organization [Kouga Municipality] to take us forward into the new election period thus giving confidence to the public:
1. We were commended for the best Integrated Development Plan (IDP) by the Provincial Government;
2. Recognition was granted to us for the best model of Annual Report;
3. We won the runner up award for Housing Delivery;
4. To crown it all we received an Unqualified Audit Report, excellent.
(Although DAtanet cannot vouch for it, the full text of the Mayor’s Budget Speech should be found on the Kouga Municipality website, www.kougamunicipality.gov.za)
01 June, 2010
Delimitation of new electoral districts
The 2011 municipal election and delimitation of new municipal electoral districts have obliged the Democratic Alliance to start planning for unforeseen events that may arise in the Jeffreys Bay region.
The Municipal Demarcation Board has embarked on a nation-wide delimitation of new municipal electoral districts. Although the delimitation process is not yet complete, the traditional boundaries of Jeffreys Bay (including Mondplaas) are expected to include five electoral districts, i.e. Ward 2 (Pellsrus), Ward 3 (Kabeljouws and Wavecrest, from A D Keet Street to the ocean), Ward 8 (the rest of Wavecrest, Eedenglen and Mondplaas), Ward 11 (Ou Dorp and C-place), and Ward 14 (Paradise Beach, Aston Bay, Tokyo Sexwale en Ocean View).
The Municipal Demarcation Board has embarked on a nation-wide delimitation of new municipal electoral districts. Although the delimitation process is not yet complete, the traditional boundaries of Jeffreys Bay (including Mondplaas) are expected to include five electoral districts, i.e. Ward 2 (Pellsrus), Ward 3 (Kabeljouws and Wavecrest, from A D Keet Street to the ocean), Ward 8 (the rest of Wavecrest, Eedenglen and Mondplaas), Ward 11 (Ou Dorp and C-place), and Ward 14 (Paradise Beach, Aston Bay, Tokyo Sexwale en Ocean View).
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