Fighting for better service delivery in AbaQulusi

Doug Grewar, former Chairman of the Abaqulusi Residents Association (ARA), writes:

I refer to the reports in the March 4 edition of the Vryheid Herald.

I would like to thank ANC Councillor Bheka Mtshali for his objections to the gravy train increases in catering, subsistence and travelling in the new budget. At last, somebody is speaking up against this criminal waste of rate payers’ money.

It is good news that the pool borehole is ready! Now what about the other six promised new boreholes and the 60 promised tanks?

I am happy to see that the ALM Acting Municipal Manager, Ms Mbongiwe Mnikathi, has started to engage with the media. Let us hope that this continues. For far too long it has been the policy of the ALM to ignore the residents who pay its wages and to do its work in secret. This leads one to suspect corruption. The constitution demands open government and the ALM must comply with the constitution.

Both Ms Mnikathi and the Director of Technical Services, Mr Vasan Chetty, have come under considerable criticism on social media recently. To be fair, I must say that, despite many shortcomings, I found their attitude far better and more co-operative than their IFP appointed predecessors, whom I found bombastic, rude and arrogant. Ms Mnikathi, in particular, gave the Abaqulusi Residents Association a lot of support with TLB’s and trucks in their Paddadam clean up project.

Finally, I would like to welcome Estella, the new Editor of the Herald. You have a hard act to follow because John Carnegie was an indefatigable champion of fighting for better service delivery in Abaqulusi, but you have made a good start and I wish you luck.

Dear Mr Grewar

Thank you for the warm welcome. John Carnegie was one in a million and I could never replace him. Are you a fan of superheroes? Here at the Herald, Natasha admires Superwoman for being a symbol of feminine strength, Sine loves the way Storm (from the X-men) can influence the weather with her moods, Teresa’s favourite is the Flash because he’s fast and has a great sense of humour, Elaine thinks that Wolverine is, “hot,” Shareen likes the Green Lantern because he’s fearless and helps people, and Christel’s favourite is Superman because he always comes to the rescue no matter how tight the situation. I love Batman’s gruff voice and boy does he have a cool cape. In reality, however, superheroes don’t wear capes. The real superheroes are all those among us who live by certain virtues: truth, honour, compassion, kindness, courage to ask questions and stand up for what’s right, and the drive to change things when they are wrong. In reality, the superheroes are those who quietly use their God-given talent and acquired skills (be it baking, singing, a knack for numbers, a technical skill or writing) to make the world a better place. The real superheroes are people like John (Herald staff unanimously agrees to this, although they are grateful that he never tried to wear his underpants on the outside)… and people like you. I look forward to working with Vryheid’s superheroes to make a positive difference in the community.

ED