Not so long ago, the Mogale City Executive Mayor Koketso Calvin Seerane delivered his eighth State of the City Address (SOCA).
Did he have a ‘good story to tell’ in his 2014 SOCA?
There is no easy answer.
But I digress. Why do people attend the SOCA? The other day I asked a Democratic Alliance councillor who attended the SOCA, “What did the Executive Mayor say in his annual city address?” The councillor couldn’t answer me.
Earlier on the day, I had asked another person who also attended SOCA the same question I’ve asked the DA councillor. There was also no answer forthcoming. I’m unsure if both people have decided to ignore my question or they just didn’t hear what the Executive Mayor had said in his city address.
I have an impression that people don’t attend SOCA to listen to what the Executive Mayor has to say about the state of the city. My view is that they go there to show off their beautiful clothes, network and enjoy the delicious food.
People who attend SOCA should know that they don’t go there to rub shoulders with the powers that be. They also don’t go there for a fashion parade, as these occasions have turned out to be, and to eat sumptuous food. But they go there to listen to the State of the City Address.
If residents don’t know what the Executive Mayor said in his annual city address, how are they going to know what the council plans for the year? And how are they going to hold the council accountable on its promises?
Being passive about SOCA is not in our best interest. As a matter of fact, it is to our disadvantage. If we don’t show interest on the issues of local importance, SOCA included, then we are not interested in the development of our city.
Residents should be aware that SOCA is as important as the State of the Nation Address, though they don’t enjoy the same attention because of their different scope. And as such, locals should develop an active interest in the Executive Mayor’s annual address.
