KwaDukuza voters will vote for a political party rather than an individual candidate on two of their three ballots in next month’s local government elections. But how well do they know the people representing those parties locally?

The Courier approached every party holding more than one seat on KwaDukuza council, asking each representative the same five questions. Three questions and their responses appear this week, with the remaining two scheduled for next week’s edition, space permitting.

The parties approached, listed by their current council representation, were the African National Congress (ANC, 28 seats), Democratic Alliance (DA, 9), ActionSA (5), Independent Alliance (IA, 5), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF, 4) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP, 4).

We also asked the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), which did not exist during the previous municipal elections but subsequently won an ANC-held seat in a by-election.

MK mayoral candidate Doeshiee Govender and EFF mayoral candidate Thobisile Nkosi acknowledged receipt of the questions but had not submitted responses at the time of publication.

If elected:

1. And with sufficient funding to address only one infrastructure issue immediately, what would you prioritise in your ward?

2. What policies or programmes do you believe need to be put in place now to ensure KwaDukuza can keep up with its rate of growth over the next 5 and 15 years?

3. How would you address unemployment and rising living costs, and can these challenges be tackled at municipal level?

KwaDukuza mayor, Siduduzo Gumede, one of five ANC mayoral candidates:

1. As a secondary city and as one of the fastest-growing in the area, the focus is on development of our infrastructure and ensuring that we build a capable institution that fulfils its basic constitutional mandate.

2. As mayor, I have already instituted a service delivery turnaround improvement plan to tackle key challenges. One of the key pillars of this plan is putting people at the centre of service where they are able to have a voice on the discharge of services. We have clear policies and our IDP, coupled with our medium to long term plans, provides an assurance that our people will be in a better place in the next ten years.

3. Our basic mandate is economic development and we are creating conditions to cushion our people for better opportunities. That means creating procurement policies that favour local SMMEs, work opportunities, support for informal traders and township enterprises and investments. We would keep tariffs predictable and protect indigent support. We want to build better communities through jobs through the booming investments within our region.

Ward 22 councillor, Privi Makhan, DA mayoral candidate:

1. My ward-specific priority would be electricity infrastructure. Reliable electricity is essential for households, businesses and economic development. Residents deserve a dependable electricity supply, while businesses need reliable power to operate and grow. I would prioritise identifying infrastructure weaknesses and addressing maintenance backlogs.

2. I would prioritise four key interventions. (1) Review and modernise antiquated municipal by-laws. (2) Develop a 10-year infrastructure and spatial planning plan. (3) Introduce IPPs into our energy space. (4) Establish a 24-hour law enforcement unit.

3. Local government cannot employ everyone; however, it plays a critical role in creating an environment for economic growth and job creation. My approach would focus on making KwaDukuza a municipality where businesses want to invest, and entrepreneurs have opportunities to grow. This starts with the basics of service delivery listed above. We must cut unnecessary red tape, improve the efficiency of planning and development approvals and explore incentives to attract investment and encourage development. I also believe a dedicated team in the municipal administration that will deal with catalytic projects is critical to get investment unlocked for KwaDukuza.

PR councillor, Sipho Zungu, ActionSA mayoral candidate:

1. My immediate priority would be road infrastructure. While many roads in Ward 11 are in reasonable condition, some have deteriorated badly and others are still gravel. With limited funds, I would focus on the worst roads first and upgrade gravel routes where it most improves access and safety.

2. I would seek council adoption of a long-term development planning policy that requires a rolling 15-year programme with specific goals and measurable targets. The policy would cover preventative maintenance, upgrades to accommodate projected growth, sustained support for local businesses and a clear pathway for industrial development and investment. Each five-year IDP and annual budget would have to show exactly how it advances those long-term goals. Implementation would be supported by funded projects, responsible officials, deadlines and public progress reports. Any major change to priorities would need formal council approval and public reporting.

3. Yes. Local government can make a significant difference to job opportunities and the financial pressures facing households.
KwaDukuza can help create jobs by facilitating lawful access to suitable serviced land, improving the reliability of electricity and roads, and working with iLembe to improve water supply. Businesses need reliable, affordable services and efficient municipal processes to invest and grow.

On the cost of living, municipalities cannot set grocery or fuel prices, but they can manage their own costs responsibly. I would scrutinise rates and refuse charges, reduce avoidable operating costs and pursue affordable electricity tariffs within NERSA’s regulatory requirements. Qualifying households must also receive the indigent support available to them.

Accurate billing is essential. Residents who diligently pay their monthly accounts should not face unexplained demands for accumulated debt. I would prioritise regular actual meter readings, prompt reconciliation, checks on suspected faulty meters and correct allocation of payments.

PR councillor, Commie Ntleko, IA leader:

1. I would focus on getting rid of all gravel roads in Ward 2 and speed up the finishing of Nonoti Bridge, which was damaged by the 2022 floods. The Hulett Bridge is also unfinished and still being constructed up until today.

2. The consequence management policy is a vital policy kept on KwaDukuza’s shelves which is not used. It is very important to ensure that there are no officials who work according to himself or herself, as we need full dedication from officials to see the municipality grow. Service delivery is a priority, not a favour to the people and citizens.

3. On the issue of job opportunities: We need non-greedy leaders who will ensure that if a job opportunity becomes available, it is for the right man for the job, not a family, friend or comrades of the leaders, as is currently happening. We need leaders who will not sleep, but go out there and engage with investors. Leaders who have prior plans on how they can meet investors halfway by availing land and providing reasonable levies, so that investors will be attracted to the municipality. Job opportunities will be created through these initiatives if a number of businesses come to KwaDukuza.

Sibusiso Ngwane, IFP Ward 10 candidate:

1. Repair potholes in a timely manner, put V-drains where there are none, build new roads where there are none.

2. Decentralisation of services (municipal and government services).

3. Create more business nodes along the KwaDukuza coastline, which in turn would bring more investment and create jobs.