MANDLA RADEBE of Norkem Park writes:
It was refreshing to hear from the executive mayor after the shooting that claimed a person’s life in Tembisa and injured people.
Leadership makes a big difference when something as big as the crime we are facing, engulfs the city. Leadership is influence and nothing else.
If the influence the city is experiencing is one that brings pain, it is because the influence of the elected leaders has taken a backseat. Leaders, in the context of the community, are local government officials.
However, as the community, we feel like orphans at the moment or sheep without the shepherd. Kempton Park has been bleeding as far back as December 2014.
The irony of this is that we have not heard anything from the MMC of Community Safety, whom I have just discovered exists after all and has a name, Vivian Chauke. Well, I don’t have a lot to say about her, she has not done or said anything.
But when I read the article about the executive mayor lashing out at the violence that took place in Tembisa, I rushed with confidence to the middle of the article to see if he was saying anything about the killings of men, women and senior citizens in Van Riebeeck Park, Glen Marais, Edleen, Norkem Park, Birch Acres or even Birchleigh.
To my disappointment, he did not. To be honest, the only time we hear from the executive mayor is when there is a State of the City address, or when he announces one of his vote catching programmes.
Leadership matters the most as the leader shows up when the community is grieving and needing comfort. He is not the only one in leadership. This is about the safety of the people of Kempton Park. Where is the MMC of Community Safety? What is she going to do about the rising crime in our city? Does she even have a strategy to reduce crime? Or should we suck it up, grin and bear it?
Death to us, is one death too many, whether it happens in Tembisa, Kempton Park, Bedfordview or Tsakane. The leaders of the city must be careful not to attract criticism for themselves by dividing the suburban and township community, they are all people.
Silence from leadership against what is taking place in our residences, as we are terrorised by criminals, encourages them even more. Out of the mouths of the leadership, positivity should come out, building, strengthening and comforting the community.
When I read the Bible recently, I was shocked to find this verse from Proverbs 29:2: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but…(go read and get the last part of it).
So, leaders, lead or step aside.
