Nostalgic end to a once fine relationship

NOSTALGIA was the overwhelming feeling I experienced last Friday during the Kouga Mayor Robbie Dennis’s state of the municipality address.

It took me back five years when, as the newly-appointed reporter for Our Times, I also had the honour of attending this council’s first meeting.

In fact I, Dennis and the councillors embarked on new careers that would bring many highs and lows while forging relationships that worked beautifully for all involved.

Finding the balance between a working relationship with both the ruling party and the opposition in the early days was easy as they all wanted what was best for the community and they seemed to have a common goal.

At fist first it was a joy to watch them at work. They did sterling jobs making good on their election promises. The community and I were in awe of the likes of the mayor attending openings of crèches, visiting old-age homes while creating many photo opportunities for OT.

The general consensus in those early days was that the Kouga was a good place to live in and the council was doing a good job in running the municipality.

However, it gradually became clear councillors often struggled with their new found “power”. It slowly dawned on me certain councillors were using the press to be seen doing the right thing, only to renege on their promises once articles were published.

This saw them lose credibility in the community and the press.

Yet, despite a few bad apples there will always be those who command respect, are adamant in their pursuit of eradicating poverty and are committed to helping the community.

It is those I salute and wish well, but to those who lost the plot and almost succeeded in tarnishing the present council’s legacy, shame on you!

During this time I like to think Our Times has been able to successfully fulfill its role as the municipal watchdog.

Apart from keeping the councilors on their toes, a good understanding was also reached with certain municipal officials and a common trust was built.

Since there are always people who want the truth to endure we have, in the past five years, kept the community informed of all the bribery, corruption and nepotism.

At no time has Our Times shied away from publishing the truth about municipal shenanigans.

Yet of late the depth of the corruption within the municipal ranks seems to have intensified to such an extent that opposition parties are professing the institution is bankrupt.

But alas dear reader, who does one believe: the mayor who denies any financial woes or the opposition? Bear in mind that the election is around the corner, and many promises are again being made.

Perhaps we can again ride the wave of a new council, albeit for the first couple of years.

Cindy Liebenberg
OUR TIMES - Kouga's community newspaper
25 March 2011