ActionSA KwaDukuza mayoral candidate, Nel Sewraj talks politics

An interview with Action SA KwaDukuza mayoral candidate Nel Sewraj.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your history in KwaDukuza?

“I have been a resident of KwaDukuza for most of my life.

“I served as a PR councillor from 2011 to 2016.

“I am a church minister and a family man. The greatest asset in my life is my wife, Michelle. God has also blessed me with two wonderful teenage children, Zara and Zion.

“Integrity and honesty are attributes I value and pursue.”

2. Why did you get into politics?

“Firstly, I saw that the political domain was becoming more and more corrupt because it lacked ethical leaders. 

“So, I decided to step up, be the difference and counter this trend. Also, I am a humanitarian at heart.

“I strongly believe that humanitarians make the best politicians because they put the needs of the people before their own.

3. What do you hope to achieve through this campaign?

“I share the same objectives as ActionSA. We don’t want to govern from opposition benches. Our quest is to unseat the ANC, and we will not rest until that becomes a reality.

“We hope to do this in one of two ways: winning by outright majority, or unseating the ANC through collaboration with other parties in Council.  One way or the other we will keep KDM accountable.

4. What makes you different from other candidates?

“I live an honest life. You can conduct a lifestyle audit on my life any day; you won’t find anything unscrupulous.

“I value my character and my good name. In addition, I don’t have aspirations to be a career politician.

“I don’t need Council’s salary to sustain my family and lifestyle (The salary of a Category B municipality is pretty measly anyway).

“But I am an agent of change and I have a mission to resurrect KwaDukuza from the doldrums of urban decay and turn it into a safe destination, a thriving region and a booming economy.

5. What do you have to offer the people of KwaDukuza?

“I want to ensure that all residents of KwaDukuza, irrespective of their income bracket have access to quality basic services.

“That’s why I am going to adopt a pro-poor plan of action going forward.

“Also, I want to offer the people of KDM a safer and cleaner municipality. For example, any attempt to arrest the urban decay in the CBD would mean applying the full might of the law, and such tough decisions I am willing to take.

“We must remember, if KwaDukuza became an attractive destination for tourists and investors, our revenue base would skyrocket and unemployment would be a thing of the past.

6. What will be different if you are elected mayor?

“If I am elected mayor, I would run KDM like a business, where the ratepayer is king. 

“Unless local government becomes customer-centric government, it remains a failed government.

“KDM is a corporate entity so it must be run in a much more professional manner, providing much more efficient and effective services.

“For example, I would put clearly outlined service delivery standards in place, which includes turnaround times for service delivery (this is a must!).  And stringent punitive measures, including dismissal, will be in place for underperforming municipal staff and officials who fail to meet service delivery standards.”

7. How do you feel running in these elections?

“I feel confident that ActionSA will win a number of wards in KwaDukuza.

I am amazed at the support ActionSA is receiving throughout this municipality, and the calibre of candidates who have joined us to contest KwaDukuza.

Our one-year-old party may be a newcomer to the political scene but it has warmed up to all people and won the hearts of all demographics.

We have experienced no resistance during our campaigns, even in wards infamous for hostility.

Maybe it’s because ActionSA is a melting pot of members from diverse political backgrounds, or maybe people at large are just “gatvol” with politics.

But what I do know is that ActionSA is restoring hope for a better future in the hearts of all South Africans.

This advertisement/advertorial has been paid for by the relevant political party and represents their views, not that of the publication platform.