Public participation is a requirement for local government as outlined in the Constitution and the Systems Act.
Government must consult with the public as well as listen to the needs of communities to deliver services effectively.
Unfortunately, public participation has become a tick box exercise in our local municipality.
The recent mayoral imbizo for the clusters including wards 6, 22 and 30, the largest contributor by way of property rates to the KwaDukuza budget, was an utter disappointment and a clear indication of just how detached municipal officials are from the communities they are supposed to serve.
Presenters should have been at the venue timeously to set up and ensure the relevant information would be easy for the audience to see and understand. Officials should have been in a position to respond to questions asked.
Sadly, this was not the case.
The events that took place at the imbizo reaffirms the lack of confidence the public has in local government. Whatever trust there was has been lost.
Government does not seem to be listening to residents, and now is the time for all of us to use the power that we have.
The Democratic Alliance assisted new residents to the area to register two weekends ago, and the turnout was fantastic – exceedingly better than the mayoral imbizo.
2024 is going to be our 1994. We all need to use our vote to get a government that will take us seriously.
If you need assistance to register, I can be contacted on 082 894 7808 or tammcolley3@gmail.com
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