It is the election season once again and voters are being bombarded with competing public messages from various parties seeking their votes.
The more persistent parties and candidates are meeting potential voters at their homes, shopping malls and places of worship as part of their drive to get elected onto various local government structures.
But how different from one another are the election promises made by established political parties for the elections?
For instance, what distinguishes each of the opposition parties from the ruling party?
Not much, judging by the election manifestos released by several opposition parties in the past local government election.
Each promises to put an end to corruption at local government level, deliver basic services such as running water, electricity and sanitation to all households, build houses for the poor and invest in road and transport infrastructure.
In some instances, the only differences among parties are the dates by which they pledge to deliver on the promises.
While the ANC promised voters that all communities will have access to clean water and sanitation by 2012, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it can do this by 2020.
I was reinstated as chairperson of the recently launched Sanco Maki Legwete branch, Ward 11, Kagiso, largely by the ANC and the community; I was side-lined as Sanco West Rand regional leader in 2013 until I returned into power in 2015.
Sanco promised that South Africa would improve the economy despite tough economic conditions.
I warned ANC members against gate-keeping and looting municipalities, saying corruption would not work for the ANC. The organisation called for a corrupt-free local government sphere and warned ANC members to stop abusing state resources at municipal level.
Municipalities led by the ANC must lead in cutting wastage, hiring competent staff and ensuring transparency and accountability.
I reminded ANC councillors that the party was there to serve the community and called on municipalities to hire skilled people.
I’m confident that ANC members would forget their ‘petty parochial issues’ and focus on ensuring the ANC emerged with an overwhelming majority.
