Sauls aims high
The DA's Proportional Representative (PR) councillor in Phomolong, Mr Allan Sauls, is optimistic his party will do well in the general elections.
He spoke to The Tembisan about the party’s ambitions about winning the ward.
Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani (VM): The DA has been doing well in Phomolong section in Tembisa, and has been at the helm of the ward for the past 10 years. Are you confident you will retain the ward?
Allan Sauls (AS): The DA has made significant in-roads with the Phomolong community for the past 10 years, however the DA was unsuccessful in 2011 elections. While this has been seen as an unfortunate development, it has not detracted from the growth the DA is experiencing within the ward 13 Phomolong community. In fact, the DA has become part of the ward 13 Phomolong community because of its direct engagement with communities by assisting with ID documents, indigent related issues, underground water, solid waste, recreation, health clinics and many other community-related issues.
VM: What are you going to do differently if you win the ward?
AS: As indicated, the ward will be contested during the 2016 local government elections. However, the 2014 general elections are important to ensure the DA takes control of ward 13 during the 2016 local government elections. Gaining the ward back to the DA would be based on community engagement, ensuring community issues and concerns are uppermost in the minds of the DA public representatives and members who serve the local community. The DA has, over the pasts months, requested the Phomolong community to sign a petition requesting Ekurhuleni to consider raising the current two social grants to an amount of R3 500, which would allow more communities to benefit from the Ekurhuleni indigent programme.
VM: If the DA wins the Gauteng province, how will this help you to help local communities?
AS: Winning Gauteng is key to service delivery from a provincial and local government level. A ruling political party has the opportunity to implement its manifesto which is a plan placed before voters and who then have to decide to vote on that plan as presented by a political party. The DA’s plan for Gauteng is far-reaching, especially relating to addressing the issue of jobs which impacts on many lives and individual dignity. The DA would make sure those who do not have title deeds for their properties that they are issued a deed, because owning your own property gives one dignity.
@TheTembisan
