Letter: What a cheek!

Malcolm Kensett of Ballito writes:

I refer to “New lease of life for Thompson’s tidal pool” (Courier March 13), where you show a photo of the upgraded and improved Thompson’s Bay lifeguard hut.

A testimony to the wonderful contribution by Balwin Properties who it appears have undertaken to maintain and keep things in order.

Thank you, Balwin Properties.

Inserted is a photo showing the Acting Mayor and some councillors from KwaDukuza with a comment ‘keeping things in order is a social responsibility”.

What a cheek! What is the municipality’s responsibility? If our municipality did half their job it would not have deteriorated in the first place.

The complete lack of maintenance, security and control on our beaches, Thompson’s Bay included, is a municipal responsibility.

The community’s responsibility is to show respect for each other and honour the laws / bylaws.

ALSO READ: New lease on life for Thompson’s tidal pool

The community pays the municipality to do this including the councillors’ salaries.

The upgraded Thompson’s Bay facility is a tribute to their failure and in this regard it’s great to have a photo of the councillors who should be ashamed of their lack of performance.

The Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) set up, managed and paid for by local property / business owners is another example where the failure of the municipality to provide basic services is being mitigated by the local community.

I haven’t mentioned roads, verges, street lights and waste removal in the townships etc as this note would be too long.

Clearly the system is dysfunctional and not working. So, how do we hold our elected representatives responsible if elections don’t seem to work?

It’s simple, change the rules.

Give each ward a budget and make elected ward councillors responsible for implementation of ward priorities as set and agreed with their local constituents and rate payers who elected them in the first place.

This way they will not be able to hide in the dark financial hole of a remote municipal budget. No change can be expected unless this is done.

In the meantime, we can continue to watch them insult us with their opportunistic photo shoots where they take credit due to others.

Yes, what a shame!

Do you want to receive news alerts from The North Coast Courier via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram