ANC Tabloid, May 2011
CONSIDER ALL THE FACTS BEFORE VOTING
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hen we examine the state of city affairs it is important we as residents take a broad and holistic view of our city and the progress made since the advent of democracy. After 1994 our City along with others faced a number of clear political imperatives. It was absolutely necessary to extend services to those sectors of our community who never enjoyed them in the past. This was and is clearly in the interests of our society as a whole. Besides being morally untenable, living on an island of
prosperity in a sea of poor living conditions and poverty, is a recipe for disaster for Pietermaritzburg and the country as a whole. Many citizens of our city, up and until today, fail to understand this. There is no magic wand to solve our city’s problems and operating in an environment of limited funding, tough choices had to be made. In some instances this invariably meant delaying our programme of infrastructure maintenance. We are now starting to feel the consequences of this. The other imperative faced
Mayor Mike Tarr, City Administrator Sibisiso Sithole, Deputy Mayor Jabu Ngubo and Speaker Babu Baijoo
by municipalities was to ensure that we reversed apartheid employment practices and employed people from all communities so that we didn’t have a senior administration that was lily-white and that our staff reflected the diversity of our city. We gained some good people in this process and inevitably some were appointed who did not have the necessary skills In order to look at the road ahead it is useful to remind ourselves of where we come from: • In 1994, our City had a population of some 180 000 and a rates base of some 30 000 properties; • In 1996, the Edendale and Imbali areas were added to the City which increased our population to 390 000 but our rates base only went up to 31 000. • In 2000, Vulindlela, Ashburton, Claridge and Bishopstowe were added to the City and our population increased to 620 000 persons with only a small increase in our rates base to 35 000 properties. Our current population is some 700 000 and our rates base remains very much the
same as the 2000 level. Compounding the above problems was a city structured on apartheid lines where the poorest in our community were forced to live long distances away from their work places. In order to compensate for the additional burden placed on the municipal coffers the City does receive a number of grants from central Government such as the Municipal Infrastructure Grant and various other conditional grants. These total R432 million for 2011 financial year which is only some 13% of our total budget of R3,357 billion. This is not adequate to meet the massive demands emanating from the bulk of our community who lack water, electricity, roads and sanitation. In this environment proper controls broke down and the City went backwards with regard to meter reading, credit control, maintenance, supply chain, overtime and many other issues. This created an environment where corruption could flourish, and where there was often collusion between members of the public and members of our staff on matters such as Supply Control and Credit Control. It is also worth noting that in
I ASK YOU THE PEOPLE TO RALLY BEHIND THE ANC’S VISION OF BUILDING A UNITED, NON RACIAL, DEMOCRATIC AND PROSPEROUS SOUTH AFRICA.
The honourable Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize Together we can do it. Since 2000 the ANC has been developing a new non racial, democratic and developmental local government system The ANC led government has closely monitored the progress
of municipalities and has continued to tweek up the systems and structures during the last ten years. In 2006 the ANC led government realized that some municipalities were unable to provide services effectively and efficiently. Project consolidate was launched and national government sent in support to strengthen managerial deficiencies in many municipalities. As an on- going assessment the ANC government once again in 2009 realized that more needed to be done to improve the performance of municipalities. The government launched the local government turnaround strategy which will ensure the following. • That properly functioning
ward committee system will promote efficient public participation in local government issues • That quarterly and annual reports of the work of the municipality be made public.. • That a municipal public accounts committee is established with the a clear mandate to oversee the work of the executive and administration
• That the supply chain management process be made more transparent and accountable, to prevent corruption in tenders and thereby improving the quality of goods and services procured by councils. SUKUMA SAKE
the absence of proper controls members of the public were quite happy to rob their own City blind which occurred on a massive scale and sadly continues to occur. We have now reached a situation where the City has been stabilised, a Turn Around Strategy is in place and we have a balanced Budget together with an Integrated Development Plan. For the first time in the city’s history we have now implemented a process where the public and other city stakeholders can monitor for themselves progress on achieving our goals. Monthly management accounts will be published on our website and a quarterly report on our IDP will also be published were it will be possible to gauge progress achieved on our stated goals. People ask why vote for the ANC? No other party could realistically have faced and dealt with the problems of our City. Yes, there have been mistakes, but, they are now being put right as will be seen from other articles in this publication. The problems we faced were not as a result of ANC policy but as a result of individuals who let the ANC down and who let the residents of the city down. We condemn their actions and have taken action at the highest levels to hold them accountable. When one considers our journey since 1994 and the anxiety many people felt at the time, it is remarkable to look back and reflect on our overall progress as a country, a province and as a city, despite the many challenges. It is a pity that so many people see only what is wrong but fail to acknowledge the overwhelming good. It is a pity that some prefer to devote their energy to throwing stones from the sidelines instead of contributing to the effort of building a better city and country for all.
VOTE ANC ON ALL THREE BALLOT PAPERS
CANDIDATE NAME AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
ANC
ONLY A VOTE FOR THE ANC WILL COUNT
By Babu Baijoo
Speaker Babu Baijoo
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his election has attracted far more interest than others. In spite of the challenges the ANC will retain its majority in council which poses several challenges to those who are advocating that voters vote anti-ANC as their election statement. City residents are rightfully concerned of many of the challenges but voters are also acutely aware of the many successes achieved by this ANC-led municipality including the dramatic intervention and turn-around strategy. Apart from the fact that the ANC has developed a sustainable plan for the city that addresses the needs of the huge backlogs in service delivery in Edendale and Vulindlela while also maintaining the old city, the
ANC at all levels contributes to the process of ensuring service delivery at a local government level. The inherent democratic nature of the ANC ensures the party has mechanisms in place to bring to the fore those who have the skills and commitment to serve the people while also ensuring that those who betray the trust we place in them are dealt with firmly. One only needs to look at the track record of our courts to appreciate the fact that the ANC is committed to clean and transparent governance. A vote for any other party but the ANC is a futile vote at this time. Many people will switch allegiance more out of anger at the ANC rather than any better choices offered by other parties or candidates. I call this a “ Teach the ANC a Lesson” syndrome. This can be equated to the way one disciplines one child ie “if you don’t eat your vegetables, you will not get your dessert” This of course will not guarantee any improvement of governance in this or any other Municipality. Firstly the ANC is the closest to the poor, illiterate, unemployed, un-employable and completely disadvantaged people who make up over 60% of our
WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY THE ANC IS ALWAYS PART OF THE SOLUTION Dear Editor
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t is election time again and “finger pointing” is at its best. It is amazing, but I guess human, that parties in their campaigns, especially those from the many self claimed opposition bench warmers, who now easily tell us that the ruling party brought down the glorious City of Choice single handedly. What they do not tell us is that the DA and the IFP where part of a “Collective Executive”, and technically not in opposition to the ruling party, and are not at all blameless. They are in hopeless denial. When the ANC asked its EXCO deployees to resign, the DA and IFP EXCO members sat back like blameless saints and collected their fat salaries and as opportunists of the best order resorted to fin-
ger pointing Now they tell us they have a plan. What plan? Only the ANC, has succeeded in doing the following: • Removing the rot and bringing in new credible political and administrative leadership to turn the city around; • Expose the corruption internally and externally, including many business people who are supporters of the self acclaimed saints the, DA. The ANC has a clear plan to achieve a better life for its citizens. Don’t be “white washed” Vote ANC. Barry Pillay Raisethorpe
population and who are mainly African and Black. I believe no other political party will get the support of this 60 % plus. Recently a very credible activist, no less than Jay Naidoo, suggested that almost 12 million youth are “ neither employed, educated or trained” and no white liberal, right wing party, who have never had the required passion for the poor, will be trusted to fulfill their aspirations for a better life. We really don’t want to replace the current rapists with rapists from the DA, a party which is led by the same people who not only voted for apartheid but implemented its policies with such expertise that even after 17 years of democracy, the real and actual economic power still remain in their hands and you want the average black voter to believe in them? We need people-driven strategies unlike the DA’s “We Deliver for All” which in contrast to the ANC’s “Together let us build better communities”. The DA message implies that they have all the solutions in their exclusive offices somewhere in the lily white CBD of Cape Town. Where and when did they ever consult with the 60% ? The Msunduzi budget process commenced at the beginning of March 2011. The DA
VISION FOR THE CITY
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e have started the process to produce a 25-year vision for the development of the City. This is common blueprint for the entire city that will guide us now and in the future to ensure we have a future city that meets the needs and aspirations of our children and future generations. This will be a living document that can be shaped and adapted to meet the changing dynamics of the city but ultimately it will represent our resolve to make decisions that that define our unity of purpose in terms of creating a better life for all our residents. The 25 Year Vision Project will involve all stakeholders to ensure the plan belongs to everyone in the city. Once the first draft is available an extensive public participation process will commence to ensure the buy-in of everyone. This is a remarkable project for the city and will help unite us in a common front, with a clear roadmap of the way ahead.
is represented on the Finance Committee, the Executive and all other committees of Council and had every opportunity to provide an alternate budget that could be tabled and voted on, but did not, thus depriving Council of having a choice of two budgets. Instead all the DA did was vote against the tabled budget exposing their negative strategies and lack of ability to be creative. The 1st Draft of the budget was tabled at the last council meeting of March 2011 with an extensive workshop in the 1st week in April. All stakeholders, including political parties were asked to suggest improvements to the budget. This was to be done objectively, in other words one was requested to equate income and expenditure. At the council meeting of the 29th of April 2011, the only solution provided by Cllr Roger Ashe of the DA was a request to reduce tariffs with no real quantifiable suggestion to reduce expenditure. He could only
offer privatization of services as a solution, with no supporting projections or financial support for this alternative or offer time frames for implementation and projected benefits from the privatization. The DA always votes, only in election years, against budgets, of Municipalities that are ruled by parties other than itself. They are opportunists of the best order. The ANC has a clear manifesto and a track record since 1994 of guiding this country out of the economic abyss of apartheid, steering us through the difficult days of integrating our fractured society and eliminating violence, of developing a strong, resilient economy capable of withstanding the global recession – all of this while ensuring water, electrification and housing together with other basic services are provided to the millions of poor people. The country we live in today and the benefits we all enjoy are the fruits of the ANC’s vision of a Better Life for All.
THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET AND INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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his is the time of the year when politicians are perceived to be criss-crossing the country making extravagant promises in order to get support for their parties. History has shown that in many cases this perception is correct. In Msunduzi the ANC is determined to dispel this perception. The Municipal Budget and the associated IDP form the basis of our election campaign. Any promises or undertakings will be reflected in the Budget and IDP. Simply put if something does not appear in the Budget or IDP it will not happen and if it is there, it will. The IDP reflects in detail what is to happen with our Capital Projects and were they are to take place. Funding for IDP projects is clearly identified. The Municipality however has gone further than to simply
make provision in the Budget for its service delivery targets but has also provided a mechanism whereby it is possible to monitor progress. Monthly management accounts for each business unit will be posted on our website and progress on our IDP will be reported at three monthly intervals also on our website. In an effort to increase transparency even further our Portfolio Committees will not only be open for members of the public to sit in and listen to the discussions, but, we are creating mechanisms to ensure public comments and suggestions are included on the agenda and taken into consideration during these meetings. We are confident that the foregoing will herald the beginning of a new era in open, transparent and participative local government.
HUGE INFRASTRUCTURE BOOST TO ALL WARDS, SAYS ANC A
staggering R432 million is going to be spend on infrastructure through Pietermaritzburg says the ANC’s top leadership in council. Mayor Mike Tarr together with Speaker Babu Baijoo have unveiled a massive spending plan at the tabling of the city’s budget recently. The R3.3 billion budget aims to accelerate service delivery in Pietermaritzburg and to implement the provisions of the city’s turnaround strategy. Despite the challenges the city’s new leadership managed to present a balanced budget for the city this year “The R432 million allocation to infrastructure will directly address some of the backlogs facing our city. The full impact of the turnaround strat-
grade of the N3/Chota Motala Interchange • R7.3 million over two financial years for the upgrade of the Lester Browne Link Road in Shortts Retreat
• R30 million for protective structures to secure our revenue base • R26 million for the refurbishment of sub-station and transformers Community Services
Water and Sanitation
New waste removal trucks egy will be felt towards the end of the financial year when we expect a considerable increase over and above the R432 million being spent this year. The good
• R145 million over the next five years to reduce city’s water loss by installing meters and zonal meters • R42.5 million over the next two years for a new reservoir in Copesville • R5.6 million for the upgrade of the landfill site
news is that all wards in the city will benefit from this spend which will address amongst others roads, intersections, clinics, sewerage, water and lights,” said Tarr. Highlights for Residents to Consider:
• R10 million for the refurbishment of Winston Churchill Theatre and creation of centre for visual and performing arts • R6 million over five years to buy new grass cutting equipment and upgrade of parks • R1.8 million to upgrade Alexandra Park over five years • R5 million to upgrade Tatham Art Gallery in next financial
Roads
Upgrade of Chota Motala Road interchange
• R65 million to be spent this year on the Integrated Road Transportation Network aimed at measures to improve flow of traffic in city. A further R85 million to be spent in the next financial year. • R9.4 million for the upgrade of New England Road • R2.87 million for the upgrade of roads in and around Bisley Nature Reserve • R20 million for the up-
Newly upgraded Sub-station Electricity • R26 million for the electrification of Eskom supply areas
WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY The Editor
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any towns have suffered because of poor management in the last few years. This can be seen by the state of our streets and verges. Poor waste collection and damaged roads are daily problems. In Pietermaritzburg, the citizens have suffered all of this. The municipality was almost bankrupt about a year ago. The ANC Provincial Government brought some hope by intervening and helping to bring the ANC led, city back to normal. The ANC, MEC for Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs Nomsa Dube must
be complimented for appointing an administrator to run the city. The administrator and his team must be complimented for acting on the corruption and helping to save money and improve collections at the same time. The councilors also helped during this trying time. The MEC also requested councillors in Pietermaritzburg not to take a salary increase during 2010/2011. This saved the city a few hundred thousand Rands. I think the ANC has learnt many lessons over the last ten years and have made new plans to help our city grow. Shaun Rajah Northdale
LET’S ALSO LOOK AT THE ANC’S MANY SUCCESSES In the 17 years that the ANC has ruled this country, it has made many gains. In 1994 only 50% of the people had access to decent sanitation. Today 77% do. The same goes for clean drinking water which rose from 62% to 93%, electricity connections from 36% TO 84%. Almost 15million people receive social grants, thus helping the poor to at least have some income, while the country recovers from the worst recession to
plague the world. At a municipal level the poor are provided with free basic services. No other government in South Africa has provided for the poor irrespective of colour, creed or religion. The ANC is government for the poor. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you Ismail Bhamjee Raisethorpe
year • R25.3 million in to develop a tourism hub in Freedom Square • R32 million over next three years for the development and upgrade of the airport. ‘When all is said and done the fact of the matter is that the ANC-led city council has demonstrated its commitment to the sustainable development of our entire city. We have huge backlogs in the greater Edendale area and we are addressing these. However, we are doing this in a sustainable manner that ensures we are cognizant of the needs of all city residents. Extracts of our infrastructure budget above dispels the lies and fabrications of the DA and exposes the truth that the ANC is the only party that has a sustainable plan for the city,” stated Babu Baijoo. Full details of the budget and Integrated Development plan are available on the municipality’s website.
MSUNDUZI, THE GOOD NEWS
By Mike Tarr
place and again the details are available on our website. This Strategy clearly identifies what needs to be done in areas such as financial management, credit control, debt control, maintenance, employment practices, supply chain management and other areas. Measures have already been put in place to deal with all of these matters which will result in an efficient well run City.
Mayor Mike Tarr embers of the public have been inundated over the last year with the problems of our city and the various woes that have befallen us. Not all news however is bad and perhaps it is time that residents are reminded that there is much happening that is positive and the future is far brighter than the press would have us believe. Listed below are some good news items:-
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The Budget and IDP The City is within Budget for 2010/11 and we have tabled a balanced Budget for 2011/12 together with an IDP. The IDP highlights all projects which are to take place but for lack of space it is impossible to elaborate here. This is available on our website. Turn Around Strategy A Turn Around Strategy is in
Clean City Various initiatives are currently in the pipeline that will ensure our City is again one of which we can be proud. These are:• A complete integrated Waste Management System that makes provision for producing energy from gas at our landfill site in New England Road, recycling at the landfill site and various other centres which will be carried out by NGOs and the acquisition of new fleet to replace vehicles that are currently unserviceable. • Extended Public Works Programme - We are currently in the process of employing some 550 persons who will be allocated across all wards in the City with a task of collecting waste and cutting verges etc. The Department for Water Affairs is also making funds available to assist in the cleaning of our streams and rivers.
WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY
MINORITY PARTIES OFFER NO SOLUTION I
t is almost certain that the ANC will continue to rule the Msunduzi Municipality beyond May 18th 2011. A quick analysis of the demographic representation across the thirty seven wards in PMB, shows that almost twenty seven of these have previously disadvantaged Africans in the majority as residents and voters. Although many are unhappy with the performance of the ANC Government, they still cannot find a home in the many parties fighting for opposition status. The other ten wards have a mixture of White, Indian and Coloured voters. These voters will
be wooed mainly by the DA. Some of these wards tend to swing between the DA and the ANC from one election to another. Regrettably, voting for a minority party is always risky. It would be more strategic to support the winning party and form a strong co-operative and participative approach to help the majority achieve its objectives of a better life. This will help us build a stronger nation. Ray Mabhena Ward 30
• Business Improvement Districts – Legislation for Business Improvement Districts has currently been tabled for comment and will shortly be finalized. This is with the full support of business and once operational will make a complete revamp of our central business district possible. It is expected that in time this will extend to other areas. Business Improvement Districts have resulted in remarkable improvements in other cities and we expect the same. • P3 (Picture Perfect Pietermaritzburg) – The City together with the Chamber of Business will be launching this programme on 17th May 2011. Under this programme various businesses will be taking responsibility for beautifying areas in the city such as islands and verges. This is receiving very encouraging and widespread support from businesses. A number of businesses have already taken responsibility for areas such as the Edendale Road and the old cemetery in Commercial Road. They will be publicly recognized at the launch of P3 on 17th May. Vulindlela The largest community based programme housing programme in South Africa is due to start soon in Vulindlela
which encompasses wards 1 to 9. This will involve upgrading some 25 000 houses at a cost of R2 billion over a 5 year period. Associated with this project will be skills development programmes, block making enterprises, window door and truss making enterprises and various agricultural projects. This will bring immense benefit to the City and in particular our citizens living in the Vulindlela area. Station Precinct A major revamp of the station area by the Department of Transport is currently in the planning stage. This is expected to cost in the region of R1,4 billion and will result in the whole station and precinct being upgraded, together with the Rapid Rail Transport System coming on-line. Parking and By-Laws A continual problem has been a lack of parking in the central business district and the non-implementation of bylaws that relate to street trading, littering, posters, and signage. New by-laws have been published for public comment in order to deal with all of the foregoing and will be promulgated within the next few months. Future Development In addition to the current developments taking place such as the Edendale Mall there are
at least three other major developments in the pipeline which we expect to come on-line during the 2011/12 financial year. For obvious reasons it is not possible to mention them now. Call Centre A major source of complaints from the public is related to difficulties experienced in reporting problems. A modern full operational Call Centre that provides for feedback will be operational by the middle of June. The equipment is already in place and recruitment and training of operators will start soon. Airport A upgrade of the airport is currently underway at a cost of some R40 million and members of the public will have already noticed the larger aircraft and improved flight schedules. This is a clear indication of increased business activity. New routes are also being planned. The Municipality is determined that we will become the benchmark against which other municipalities can measure themselves in future. The foregoing gives an indication of what is currently happening and we intend to involve the public in our activities to create a true working partnership. We must move away from the situation of us being the municipality and them being you the ratepayers. If we all pull together for the benefit our City we will succeed.
YOUR WARD CANDIDATES 24|
NGIDI, PHILANI GOODWILL
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MADONSELA, SIPHO ERNEST
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SHONGWE, NOMWASWAZI GRACE
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MNIKATHI, CYNTHIA THABILE
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NAIDOO, SIVARAJ NARAINSAMY
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NDLOVU, THANDI PATIENCE
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SINGH, CHARMAINE ROSEMARY
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KHAN, MUHAMMAD
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SCHALKWYK, MARY
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MKHIZE, BONGANI CYPRIAN
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MAJOLA, NOMAGUGU EUNICE
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MATIWANE, THANDI
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KHALECK, NAFISA
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STEFFENS, BRIAN
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