NRA ready to stand for Ward 88 by-election

The Northcliff Residents’ Association, which also represents surrounding areas, has officially put up its hand for Ward 88 after it was left without a councillor earlier this year.

The association has drafted an election manifesto for its candidacy for the ward’s coming by-election.

Chairperson Oscar Plange plans to run as an independent Ward 88 candidate.

“We feel that doing this would better represent the residents in the area – having an internal ear and a voice… in council,” he told Northcliff Melville Times earlier this month.

He also plans on donating his entire salary to the association, should he win.

In its manifesto’s founding statement, the association said it believes that the traditional functionality of party politics in local government is not beneficial to the residents and taxpayers of South

Africa in general. Political agendas inhibit the ability of people to work together in the interest of an effective local government, he said.

“The alternative is an organisation, the members of which will be the voice and the ears of the residents and will act strictly within their respective mandates, provided by their constituencies, always answering to what is in society’s best interests.

“It is the prime objective to ensure the efficient management, maintenance and improvement of existing infrastructure, whilst contributing significantly towards the development of services and infrastructure in disadvantaged areas.”

The associations’ current objectives include compiling an immediate schedule of infrastructure maintenance to be performed and insisting that the funds budgeted are spent on this.

“The erroneous billing system needs urgent rectification. A concerted effort needs to be made to identify and action capital investment projects in our area.”

Among other things, the association will focus on providing a safe area to live, protect residents’ rights, improve their welfare, hold government leaders accountable and actively participate in the running of the City.

For more information about the NRA, visit their website, www.northcliff.org.za

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