Mixed feelings for Monde Mbingeleli

An outgoing Joburg city councillor expressed mixed feelings of relief and certainty on the future of one of the poorest wards in inner Alex and possibly city.

This pending a new governance for the city after the 3 August local government elections.

Monde Mbingeleli presided over Ward 116 of mainly low income earners comprised of informal traders and street vendors, large number of unemployed youth and, pensioners many from crowded shacks and reliant on grants and illegally tapped power sources to make ends meet, where streets are more often dirty hours after they have been cleaned and, petty and sometimes, violent criminals make life hard for the majority through domestic violence, fear from sexual and other abuse.

Mbingeleli said he matured and learnt from the position which wasn’t for the feint hearted. He advised who ever wins the ward to communicate well with the residents, not to promise the impossible, to educate the residents on other sources of support beyond the councillors job description, to act above party politics and discourage inter party conflicts in order to further the ideals of democracy and, to abide by the decisions of the Independent Electoral Commission.

Read: Outgoing councillor magnanimous in defeat

A self confessed life activist, Mbingeleli said he wants to be remembered as one who tried his best to serve and improve conditions of the residents and community. “I may not have achieved all I thought I would do but, that was beyond my control and unfortunately, the residents understanding,” he said, attributing this to a disjuncture between elected representatives and bureaucracy. “Residents assume councillors will solve all their problems unaware that, we rely on bureaucracy which often is slow to respond and to prioritise spending according to the needs. Its a painful experience observing things not being done sometimes leading to protests with the councillors having to take the heat.”

He said despite this, major successes were achieved in his tenure. They include the recent statement of intent between the city and provincial government with land and property owners on options for the development of inner Alex which stalled for close to 20 years by an interdict prohibiting any developments without resolution of the Title Deeds impasse. “This will hopefully fast track major developments centred on three options of partnership with the city, buying out the properties from the land owners and, redeveloping the bond structure.

Other success are;

Jozi@Work programme that employed and benefitted financially many residents and cooperatives and gave them skills.

On line and WI FI connectivity at libraries and other hot spots for use by university students, pupils and job seekers.

Proper aligning, electrification, portable water and sewage reticulation of informal settlements.