EDITOR – Diversity is one of South Africa’s and more particularly the Bluff’s greatest assets.
The Democratic Alliance celebrates this diversity and recognises the right of each individual to be who they want to be, free from domination by others.
Though our people come from different origins, worship in different ways and have different cultures and customs, we are all unique individuals.
By politicising the attempt by our democratically elected committee to ensure representation across our entire catchment area irrespective of your age, race, sexual orientation, religion or expertise is shameful, particularly from a former leader that led this community for so many years.
It is unfortunate that Mr Du Bois does not subscribe to these principles, as he clearly indicated in his comments and tone on the request for youth representation from our community’s clinic committee to be ignored and withdrawn.
After seeking guidance from various levels of government on the establishment of a clinic committee, the following information was supplied before the public meeting held in March 2018, which elected the current clinic committee and which Mr Du Bois did not attend:
For the Corporate Services Unit to facilitate the appointment of community health centres and clinic committees in accordance with the KwaZulu-Natal Health Act, 2009 (Act No. 01 of 2009) and the circular issued by Dr SM Zungu , Head of Department: Health KZN a copy of a curriculum vitae (CV) for each nominated member including special interest groups representing health care users must be submitted in order to be formally appointed to the committee.
Clearly Mr Du Bois is out of touch with the current statutory requirements in establishing a clinic committee as he cites an out of date piece of legislation.
I am truly disappointed that Mr Du Bois has never taken the time to come and meet me, nor has he responded to my requests to sit down with him. It is unfortunate that he prefers using the media as a platform of engagement, dragging community members into senseless arguments while we are trying to build an united Bluff.
Nevertheless, we are committed to continuing to take active steps to promote and advance diversity within all our community structures and open the doors for all community members to have access to opportunities in the community.
As a young South African and the duly elected leader of this community, I am steadfast in my commitment to build a values-based, non-racial community to include all individuals residing within the Bluff across racial, cultural, religious and gender lines.
I envision a society that is truly diverse, and we must continue our work as a community in building one South Africa for all, despite what the naysayers have to say.
CLLR JP PRINSLOO
Ward 66 councillor
