Ward Four by-election candidates participated in a debate and signing of the Independent Electoral Commission’s Code of Conduct on Thursday at the town hall.
Although it was evident that there was a very small amount of residents from Ward Four present, each of the four political parties had good support from their members.
To open the proceedings, Municipal Electoral Officer Vusimuzi Magubane explained that an election debate is a tool utilised to strengthen democracy.
The four candidates, Loritha Bugwandeen from the Democratic Alliance, Ugan Chetty from the African National Congress, Nomvuyo Hadebe from the Inkatha Freedom Party and Sookraj Mahabir from the National Freedom Party then took turns signing the Code of Conduct, which commits them and their political parties to abide by the code.
Each candidate was then given an opportunity to introduce and market themselves.
Ms Bugwandeen said she was born and raised in Estcourt, completed school at Drakensberg Secondary School and now manages her own business.
“My heart is bleeding to see the terrible roads, electricity problems in Colita, sewage running into rivers and lack of interest in the community. What will I do? I will create an environment for economic growth, which will create job opportunities,” said Ms Bugwandeen.
Mr Chetty from the ANC listed the developments in Umtshezi, citing the taxi rank upgrade, reconstruction of the Estcourt prison and road rehabilitation in Connor and Albert Street, he said this was evidence that the ANC has made inroads with service delivery.
“I promise to tackle the asbestos roofing problem in Forderville, installation of solar geysers and sorting out of the potholes,” he added.
The IFP’s candidate Ms Hadebe said at 22-years-old, she had young blood. “We are tired of old people. I have lived my whole life in Colita and know what the community wants,” she said.
The NFP’s Mr Mahabir commented on the poor attendance of Ward Four residents.
He said that there were a number of problems that needed to be addressed.
“The solar geysers went past us, we don’t have quality water supply, South Africans need to get services at affordable costs but the electricity price is sky-high, there is no development in the town, which does not attract businesses. The main problem is that there is no transparency,” he said.
The audience was then invited to pose questions to the candidates.
Most of the questions urged candidates to talk about what they would like to achieve if they were voted Ward Four Councillor.
The meeting concluded with a brief address by the Estcourt Police Station Commander Colonel Mabaso who said that the police would be on hand to serve and protect.