Challenge issued to ward councillor
It will be interesting to know if the Army Saints can confirm Beetge's alleged participation in their noble efforts.
EDITOR – My response to Andre Beetge, the DA councillor’s letter in your publication dated 6 June.
I challenge Beetge to prove my alleged self-confession of being an ANC supporter.
It is publicly known that I spoiled both my ballots. I will not support any party that governs under a cloud of corruption nor will I waste my vote on incompetent representatives. I used a short fat marker to write on the ballot ‘stop corruption’ and in the DA’s space ‘incompetent’.
It will be interesting to know if the Army Saints can confirm Beetge’s alleged participation in their noble efforts.
Again, Beetge exposes his incompetency by blaming the SAPS and the CPF. Job seekers, drug trafficking and prostitution is a common problem in society and should be addressed by society. Beetge is incapable to make progressive new proposals or rally support, except his small group to address the challenges. Instead, true to his incompetency, he plays the blame game.
Regarding the members of the ward committee in ward 97, Beetge confirms his low standing and possible reason why he is second last on his party’s provincial legislature nomination list. His seniors must be very disappointed if his allegations were true that majority of ward committee members are ANC supporters. Beetge conveniently omits the fact that the said members were voted for by his constituency through an IEC election process. I was there on that day and first hand experienced his non-support. Nobody even lent a hand when he struggled to erect or dismantle his gazebo.
Regarding dirty, again, Beetge exposes his diminished intelligence for two reasons. He should not wear pants with my country’s national flag on his backside – finish and klaar. Secondly, ‘honest hard work’ is not driving up and down ward 97 taking photos of food stalls, workers resting or harassing job seekers.
The 2016 local government elections are around the corner. I suggest that the ACDP, ANC, IFP and others make use of the opportunities Beetge is creating for them and the DA should replace the incompetent man.
More and more people will stop voting or spoil their ballots if we the people don’t demand better.
I think its time the Sun news paper stop printing the babble of the ever “concerned” Mr Ackerman!
Thank you Tommy Ackermann Snr for confirming my findings.
I personally have no party that I support however, I have exercised my right and my responsibility. I did not only vote but I read all the manifestos of the three seemingly big political parties and in accordance to that, I voted for the possibly least corrupt political party comparable to the other ones in my opinion.
I believe, we as the residents of the society are also responsible for the ultimate change needed in our communities but with the support of our elected officials.
I recently moved in at Amanzimtoti from Uitenhage north of Port Elizabeth and I have been the agent of social change for the past 10 years. I am a former student and employee of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and been doing community development projects with South African renowned organizations such as Youth In Action SA, Cheese Kids, Three Ring Circus and the list goes on.
I personally been at the Councillors office for possibly more than 5 times looking to bring community related development projects in Toti as I used to do with previous Councillors in Port Elizabeth with no luck.
At some point I volunteered at Amanzimtoti Library helping out.
I again happened to bump into our Councillor at the Durban Authors Association lauch where I briefly shared my unfortunate encounters of not being able to get hold of him. Understandably I know how busy can our officials get hence even before I visited his office; I had sent various emails with no response.
on The Durban Authors Association Launch; He took my business card promising to contact me; I therefore waited till today with no luck.
Some how I wanted to play the race card but then again I know the race card is one of the forms of shallowness that some people are still infected with.
I am the founder of a national entity These Words Projects which is willingly dedicated in developing communities.
Travelling around the country doing community development projects with other officials of other communities without your own community is so uncalled for!
We need transparency, competency and openness to create a better environment.
Playing blame games wont change the situations but create more tensions to make it even more hard to initiate innovations that are beneficial to the development of this community.
Crime, Corruption,Drugs and Prostitution can be highly eliminated in every society however cannot be done by one group of people.
Unity can play a major role.
I don’t know much but I know for sure that I am here at Amanzimtoti, KZN to stay.
With all the allegations
I hope and pray we can hold hands and work together in creating a better community with kindness and unity.
There are three things that can change communities it’s Passion, Passion and Passion not job descriptions!
Thank you
Tommy i got prove that he is corrup
So over both the Ackermans using our local newspaper to air their childish schoolyard rants. Instead of moaning and complaining about political parties perhaps their time would be better spent just being part of the community and getting involved in cleaning up this town.
Good grief, could the Ackermans please grow up already and start acting like adults! Sort out your issues in private and leave the community out of it.
I am one of the Army Saints members and joined this great organisation when they did their first river clean up. I was so impressed with their commitment to doing good and the great hearts/attitude they all showed, that I decided to remain a permanent member.
I have been to every single river clean up and can confirm NOT ONCE did Andre ever pitch up to either help us out or voice his support for what we are doing. I have also heard from many of the volunteers that the only way to get Andre to come out and make an appearance was to promise that there will be a camera present. I am not too familiar with Andre and his role in Toti but I do know that I wouldnt like to hear this about our Ward Councillor every weekend. I would like to hear his thoughts and opinions on this before I make a judgement on him.
Also, I am not familiar with Mr Ackermann, nor his apparent complaints as these other commentators state above, but I do know that if someone is willing to voice their opinion and to institute positive change, they have my full support, whether they are ANC, DA or any other affiliation of any kind.
Lastly to Johan, please could you drop a private inbox on the Army Saints page and I am sure one of the admins will make light of these alleged corruption. After all, if its not true, there wouldnt be anything to worry about surely? I know the 2 main founders at Army Saints and they would harm anyones reputation without fair grounds.
If anyone reading this likes what the Army Saints are doing, then please feel free to join the cause and come help us out. I have only been helping out a few times but the support has grown amazingly. I love my weekends going out and meeting this group of people.
I have just recently joined the Army Saints when they did their first river cleanup and have attened every single one to date.
I can confirm that Andre HAS NEVER been to anyone of these cleanups, or shown us his support for what we are doing. To my knowledge, absolutely nothing at all.
I met Shaun, Justine, Justine and Dane at the very first event, and was impressed with their good hearts and intentions. I cannot believe our local Councillor Andre wouldnt help out.
Also, I am not familiar with Mr Ackermann, but I do support anyone who is willing to publicly speak out and offer soclal change, no matter which political affiliation he is. I havent come across his complaints before but I would challenge these commentators to get out there and do something, pretty much what Mr Ackermann seems to be doing.
I support the Army Saints whole heartedly. Everyone should.
Well, well, well!!! It seems that the Army Saints are reaping the rewards of their efforts to bring the community together. The war of words taking place will hopefully turn to a war of action, with a Totally clean Amanzimtoti in a very short period of time. Now for the burning question: Will Mr. Tommy Ackerman and Mr. Andre Beetge dare to meet this Sunday at the Amanzimtoti River at 10:00am (Ollies) where they can both show their support for and promote The Army Saints Projects????? This will surely be the auspicious occasion that will show everyone that no matter what has been said or done (not said or not done) in the past can be put aside so that we can all work together for the benefit of all residents and visitors of our once beautiful Amanzimtoti.
Gerry van Rooyen