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RANJENI MUNUSAMY
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OUTH Africa is yet to have an issue-based election, with a proper evaluation of candidates. The focus of this year’s local government elections thus far has been the race to get onto election lists. Candidate lists had to be submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) this week amid fierce competition within political parties for the chance to be councillors. In some cases, internal party rivalries have been marred by violence and killings. This is obviously not just about jobs. It reveals the desperation to ascend into positions of power and influence where resources can be accessed. Municipalities are central to local economic activity and those who have the ability to influence the awarding of
testation between political parties and against those who are standing as independent candidates. There are fears that levels of violence might escalate, with tensions brewing over the past few weeks and clashes between party supporters in some areas. Sadly, in the heat of the election battle and contestation for positions, candidates do not seem to be evaluated on the basis of how they intend to solve local problems. South Africa has among the highest rates of protest action in the world, with communities demonstrating over the delivery of basic services, houses and better living conditions. People have been angered by how their mayors and councillors have neglected their responsibilities and allowed services to degenerate. But it is not easy to hold these people accountable, particularly if party dynamics and factional interests ensure that they keep their jobs. A report released by auditor-general Kimi Makwetu this week shows that only 54 out of the country’s 278 municipalities received clean audits. While the 2014-15 local government audit
We Protea diehards live in hope, maybe next time our luck will turn and we’ll get to cheer a win IN MY OPINION BY LUNGA BIYELA BEFORE we used clocks and watches to tell time, ancient man used to look to the stars to decide if it is time yet to plant or how much longer the night would last. It must have been a simpler age. Instead of bills and work and other is sues, the only problem people had back then was anticipating when the neighbour ing tribe would appear over the hills, wield ing spears, baying for blood. Ruins and other things used to remind them of what had happened. Nowadays, we may be more advanced, thanks to technology, but we still have events that remind us of what happened in the past. For instance, I have a tiny scar on my leg, which I acquired on Sunday, March 22, 1992, when I was nine years old. How do I remember the date? Well, it was the day of that infamous rain
interrupted World Cup semifinal at the Sydney Cricket Ground. You know, the one where South Africa had to score 22 runs off the last ball to win the game. The Proteas, in their first World Cup due to the end of isolation, fought hard throughout the tournament, and since it was the first time we were watching that level of international cricket, we were not cynical. So, when the defeat was confirmed, I went outside, and out of anger, I inadvert ently, or not, kicked a rose bush. Of course, I came off second best and there was blood everywhere. Unfortunately I did not hurt myself enough to miss school the next morning. It was a similar case during the following World Cup on the subcontinent in 1996. The Proteas started well, and, we lost. We lost again in 1999, and right here at home
8 June 2016
OPINION
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Let’s evaluate candidates contracts and decide how money is spent wield enormous power in their communities. ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe described the process of compiling the list of candidates as similar to handling “a nuclear time bomb”. He was addressing the media at the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg, while disgruntled ANC members staged a protest outside. “What is a new thing though is that people are going to war to be a councillor, where you bus people to Luthuli House, where they must be visible for you to be a councillor,” Mantashe said. One major grievance in the ANC list compilation process was the 50% quota for women candidates and a rule that 60% of its present councillors be retained for continuity. But cross-cutting this and every other issue plaguing the ANC are factional battles and the quest for power and wealth. People on the losing end of factional battles or those who have been left off the lists have threatened to contest the election as independent candidates. Now that the lists have been submitted to the IEC, a new phase of the election campaign kicks off with con-
OPINION
in 2003. And for each of those losses, there are certain things that remind me of these tiny traumas. In 2007, it was the same story, and in 2011, some of us didn’t even bother showing any enthusiasm, because even though we were one of the better sides leading up to the tournament, there was no hope in Ha des that we were going to win that competi tion. Again, we were all hopeful, and euphoric about #ProteaFire last year, especially after captain AB’s display against the West Indies in Johannesburg. AB himself went on to promise us, the fans, that they would be coming back to South Africa with the trophy. They did not bring back the trophy. And, to make sure that we remember the last three World Cups, there are slips to remind us that for some reason, we decided to make stupid financial decisions that
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Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Courage
shows much better results than five years ago, with clean audits rising from just 13 then, it is still unacceptable that the majority of South Africa’s municipalities are not properly managed. Only three of the country’s eight metros — Ekurhuleni, eThekwini and Cape Town — have a clean bill of health, with Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City being the worst performers. Irregular expenditure across the country’s municipalities more than doubled in the past five years to R14,75 billion. Unauthorised expenditure increased threefold to R15,32 billion. Makwetu said the main reason for unauthorised spending was that budgets were not overseen properly, leading to overspending. The local government elections on August 3 present South Africans with the opportunity to elect higher calibre leaders in their councils. Candidates should be interrogated on how they intend to improve the management and efficiency of municipalities rather than on the basis of party affiliation and which factions they belong to. Now is the time to elect councillors who can make a difference in municipalities, ensuring higher quality services and better financial management, and who are accountable to those who elect them.
seemed absolutely logical should the Pro teas have won. Bloody hell. So poorly have our beloved Proteas per formed at international tournaments that the only trophy they’ve so far picked up has been the ICC Champions Trophy they won in the competition’s inaugural year of 1998. On Wednesday, the draw for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in England was made, and it pitted us up against India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. De Villiers has already fired off the cus tomary warning to everyone, saying they’ll beat anyone that comes across their path. Yeah, we believe you this time, AB. No, real ly, we do. Why? Because we’re Proteas fans, and like the Proteas fans that we are, we will al ways believe that our cricket team are invin cible. And, we live to think that by some chance, our luck is going to turn, and we’re going to win a tournament and it will be the first of many. The ICC Champions Trophy, exactly a year from now, is no doubt going to be a
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Thank you WITH a heart full of gratitude, I would like to thank my family, especially my grandchildren Hannah and Abigail from Stanger Manor Primary School, friends and well wishers for supporting me in attaining my title in an Eastern wear beauty pageant. May God richly bless you all. Premie Stevens
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tough tournament. But, there is still a lot of time for AB and his troops to play themselves into form, and perhaps, once again give us some false hope to cling on to. It’s going to be a very busy time between now and then. Their season begins with a tour of the Caribbean, followed by an in coming series against New Zealand, a trip down under to face our Aussie foes, and then welcome the Sri Lankans here for a full tour, starting on Boxing Day, right up until just before Valentine’s Day. Only then will we be able to tell how the team could do, whether they go to England and Wales as one of the favourites, or they’re just going there for the trip, and will make up the numbers. No matter what happens in England/ Wales next year, whether we win or — prob ably — not, I assure you that it will leave a mark, either physical or mental, and we’re going to remember it for a long time to come. Hopefully we’ll remember it for the right reasons.