Marcel Coutriers, 53, ActionSA local government elections candidate councillor for Ward 83, recently answered questions regarding the upcoming elections.
Q. What would you do differently to the current ward councillor?
A. The first and extremely important thing that I would do is to make myself more accessible. At present the majority of the ward’s community have no knowledge on who and how to contact the current councillor. I would advertise my number and address to make myself available for my community at all times. In short, I would be easily contactable and available. I would also make the entities of the City of Joburg responsive to the needs of our residents. At present, nobody holds City Power, Joburg Water and JRA to account. When a call is logged by a resident it is as if they are performing you a favour by undertaking the repairs. I will ensure that the SLA’s and turn-around times for effecting repairs will be re-visited by council and that the entities abide by this. So-called “open days”, should be held per ward and in the ward and not per Region as it is currently done. Crime will be at a minimum in the ward by utilizing our own JMPD teams. We have magnificent units in the JMPD that do sterling work but are under-utilised. Unfortunately, SAPS does not fall under the competency of the City so we are at the mercy of the national government for them. I can continue for ages on how I would solve problems in the ward but I fear I would run out of space. Basically, enough with all the politicking and playing blame games, but actioning to resolve the problem. I will be a part of the community and will tackle all problems faced by the community.
Q. How have you been involved in the community?
A. I live in the area and have been for the past four years. Upon taking up residency here I immediately addressed the unkept feeder-belts that surround and are part of our area. As a result of my employment in the council of the City of Johannesburg, I could fortunately use my contacts and call upon colleagues to tackle the overgrown and alien vegetation invading these spaces. For a period of two years wonderful work was undertaken in this regard. This also resulted in me going toe-to-toe with vagrants living in some of these areas and getting the relevant departments in the City to assist and relocate them. The JMPD teams were called upon and it was common to see them patrolling our Ward. Sadly, my employment was terminated and all this hard work that we put in the area fell flat. With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic many families suffered and are still suffering financially. Together with St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Ward 82 and partnering with police through the Johannesburg Flying Squad and Wilro Park Pick n Pay we constantly keep food on the table for a few families. We also do treats for the ‘young’ folk at Klein Helderkruin Village and my family, team and I are about to adopt, beautify and maintain a pavement area on the corner of CR Swart Road and Naboom Street. After residents complained for two years to have a pot-holed road repaired, I found out about it, made three telephone calls, and repairs commenced after two days. We also do clean-ups in the ward which have now become a part of our leisurely walks in the area. Also, after requesting bins to be placed at certain “look-out” points in the ward had fallen on deaf ears, we decided to do this ourselves.- Watch this space !
Q. What past experiences make you uniquely qualified for this role?
A. In terms of the role as a ward councillor, I probably have more knowledge than most councillors and candidates as I have the experience and knowledge of the inner workings of that monster, the municipality. I worked in the legislature of council and headed up a department which oversaw all the protocols for the Office of the Speaker. The Speaker is the Head of the Legislature and all councillors fall under this head. When we speak of safety and security in the ward – I presently have 22 years of service in the police and I am currently based at the Johannesburg Flying Squad. My unique ability to remain calm in high-pressured environments, together with my knowledge of people make me an ideal candidate to advance the mandate of this community.
Q. What is your vision for this Ward?
A. I see Ward 83 being restored to its former self and professionally maintained for our next generation. I see a clean, well-kept ward with a happy and friendly community. I envisage a ward where complaints and crime are at a minimum, where we will be known as the jewel in the crown of the City of Johannesburg.
Q. How do you feel this vision can be achieved?
A. This can only be achieved if you believe it can be achieved. Also, one needs to move away from this being a job and whether I do this or not I will still get a salary. Determination, grit, hard work and teamwork will make us achieve the goals which the community will set. I always have to remember that my employer is not the City of Johannesburg but rather the residents of Ward 83.
Q. How does your party mirror your personal beliefs?
A. Everything about ACTIONSA is mirrored in my personal beliefs. From my belief that everybody should prosper economically to how we regard the laws of our country. This together with my leadership role being based on good ethics and a non-racial outlook are mirrored. But don’t get me wrong., I will answer to my residents first before my party.
Q. Why should you vote for me?
You voted in 2016 and you were let down, and you had to wait five years for you to rectify this. I will not let you wait for five years, I will step down if you think I am not performing. Our country and our communities are in dire straits, we do not have the luxury of time, we need to take ACTION now. I am not a man of broken promises and politics. I have a task to perform and it will be performed with pin-point accuracy and swiftness.
Ward 83, lend me your vote. Let us restore, repair, maintain and let us live.
