In by-elections held this week in Kenton-on-Sea, an independent candidate, Zache Ngixingo, won Ward 4 with almost 65% of votes cast. This reflects a sharp swing away from the ANC that in 2006 secured just over 73% of the votes in that ward.
In by-elections held this week in Kenton-on-Sea, an independent candidate, Zache Ngixingo, won Ward 4 with almost 65% of votes cast. This reflects a sharp swing away from the ANC that in 2006 secured just over 73% of the votes in that ward.
It would be foolish to read too much into the results of a single ward, after all the 3 578 voters in Kenton are not representative of the national population as a whole.
On the other hand, on 14 October, well known Grahamstown advocate and former local DA Chairperson, Jock McConnachie aims to launch a grouping of independent candidates to contest next year’s local government elections.
He says: "The aim of the New Deal initiative is to de-politicise local government and to free it from the grip of political parties which is strangling effective local governance and delivery both in Makana and elsewhere." He argues that the initiative to put independent candidates in council would “re-assert a proper work ethic amongst our officials and do away with exorbitant perks and secretive decision-making by a ruling clique behind closed doors”.
There is mounting evidence to show that the politicisation of local government in South Africa is having a detrimental effect on service delivery, and there is more than enough evidence to show that our councillors are not giving constituents what they deserve.
Even the mayor of Makana Municipality, Vumile Lwana has publicly chastised councillors for not turning up for meetings that they are supposed to attend. In fairness, there are some Makana councillors who are very hard working and diligent, but there are others – and the mayor knows who you are – who fall way short of required standards.
Perhaps the swing vote in Kenton means that McConnachie could be onto something.
