I read something interesting this week related to the local government elections and incoming councillors who will be in office for the next five years.
KwaZulu-Natal will be rolling out two capacity building programmes to orientate councillors to their new roles and responsibilities.
Premier Sihle Zikalala said the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has advised that it will undertake a skills audit of all councillors.
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The purpose of this is to identify councillors’ experience and office held; years in local government, employment, educational profile and demographic information.
The audit will provide valuable information towards identifying training needs and customisation of capacity building initiatives.
Thereafter the South African Local Government Organisation (Salga) will roll out an Integrated Councillor Induction Programme and then Cogta will conduct Sector Based Councillor Orientation Workshops.
The aim is to provide councillors with an overview of the local government environment which will cover roles and responsibilities, the policy and legal framework and various municipal processes.
If these programmes are implemented according to plan as envisaged by the province then it’s a win-win situation for both councillors and residents.
Let’s hope it is not just hot air with wasteful spending when these funds could be better spent elsewhere – such as fixing the potholes on our roads.
These are not just ‘ordinary’ potholes but craters which require advanced driving skills, unfortunately I am not equipped with. However, to avoid damage to my car and possibly injury to myself, I have to swerve to avoid them.
At the same time I have to be aware of the driver behind me, as I can be in serious trouble slowing down approaching a pothole. I speak from recent experience.
I braked to drive over one, but the impatient driver behind me became hooter happy and wanted to overtake me on the left, I couldn’t imagine how as it was impossible to do so.
Potholes are potential road rage incidents waiting to happen. I mean, have a little patience, we are all in the same boat (road).
I drive between Port Shepstone and Hibberdene everyday, and now I am aware of where the potholes are located.
While some of the craters have been repaired, others are a half-baked job, I suppose the recent rain has not helped.
Also the sections that have been fixed, the rubble hasn’t been removed but lying on the side of the road. When this will be removed is anyone’s guess?
KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, MEC Peggy Nkonyeni visited the South Coast a few weeks ago to assess the condition of the roads, particularly sections riddled with potholes, and met with Department of Transport officials working in the area.
If anything comes of this visit, is yet to be seen.
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