Seasoned local politician retires

He was a Member of Parliament (MP) on an African National Congress ticket, having joined the party in 2004, from the United Democratic Movements (UDM).

Abram had joined the UDM in 1997, after the party was formed by Roelf Meyer and its current president, Bantu Holomisa.

Abram served as an MP from 1999.

In 2003, he said, he was approached by current Cope president Mosioa Lekota, who was then secretary general of the ANC, to join the ANC.

He then served as MP on the agriculture and land affairs portfolio committee, from 2004 until April, this year, when he decided to quit.

Abram said he did not get into politics for any reason other than to serve the community.

“I was instrumental in developing Actonville; the sportsfield, flats, the Mary Moodley Clinic, the administration offices, and also abolished the then racially based Land Act, to ensure the establishment of places like Mackenzie Park and Rynsoord,” he added.

He said Actonville has not progressed in the past 20 years, as nothing new has been done.

Abram said he finally decided to retire because he thinks that, when politicians make themselves available, they should serve the people and not themselves or the party.

“You basically enter into a contract with voters, but in the ANC, you serve the party, not the people,” he said.

He added that, currently, there is no ethical leadership which is answerable, and that it thwarts every little effort to establish accountability.

“I felt I can’t be part of it any longer,” he said.

However, Abram is not completely taking a back seat now that he has retired.

He said he would remain an activist and work with civil society, as his brain is still sharp and mouth can still babble.

The government, he said, has been good on promises, but very poor on delivery.

He thanked Benonians for being wonderful and said it was a pleasure serving them all the years.

Abram’s political life stared in 1962, prompted by the then Group Areas Act, when his family was forced to relocate from Rietpan, as it was declared a white only area.

Here’s how his career has progressed since then:

•  In 1964 he became chairman of the Actonville Town Council liaison committee.

•  In 1965 he became chairman of the Actonville Consultative Committee.

•  In 1974 he was a member of the South African Indian Council.

•  In 1981 he served on the steering committee of the President’s Council, under chairmanship of South African vice-president, Alwyn Schlebusch.

•  In 1992 he became presiding officer of parliament and chairman of the House of Delegates, an Indian representation in parliament.

•  In 1993 he became part of the then Benoni Town Council.

•  In 1995 he was elected a councillor of the Greater Benoni and became a member of the executive committee.