MAYOR'S STATEMENT ON DA WALKOUT

The Democratic Alliance walked out of a Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Council meeting today, as the DA did not want an item that was on the agenda to be passed.  The item dealt with the establishment of an Elections Task Team which would encourage and mobilise participation in the upcoming Local Government elections.  The DA objected saying that it was not necessary to allocate resources for this purpose, before staging a walkout.

Below is a statement of Executive Mayor, Cllr Zanoxolo Wayile:

I am appalled at the lack of sincerity and deliberate distortion of this matter by members of the Democratic Alliance.  I am furthermore bemused at the DA's cheap politicking on a fundamental matter of democracy, whilst I am embarrassed for their part on the unruly manner in which they sought to deal with this matter.

Financial discipline and accountability

Since assuming office a little more than a year ago, I have ensured that this Council fully observed the principle of financial discipline and prudence.  Together with my fellow councillors and the Acting Municipal Manager, we have introduced operational efficiency plans, have trimmed our budget to the bone, and have put in place processes, systems, structures and mechanisms to ensure that there is always full and proper accountability when it comes to the finances of council.

I am therefore disturbed at the DA's utterances of financial ill-discipline in this regard as the history of this office reveals something entirely different to the DA's claims.  Furthermore, the recommendation, as it appears on the Council agenda, clearly states that the Acting Municipal Manager, COO, CFO, Chief of Staff and the Portfolio Chair for Budget & Treasury should check the affordability of the programme before any funds should be set aside.  The DA's statements in this regard were extremely dishonest.

Democracy

IEC reports clearly show that over the years there has been a steady decline in voter turnout, especially when it comes to local government elections.  To have a low voter turnout will produce a questionable democracy and poses serious political risk as most voters would not have participated in the democratic process.  Encouraging voters to, firstly register on the voters roll and, secondly turn out to vote, does not help the ruling party - indeed it strengthens democracy and has the probable result of helping opposition parties.

As the ANC we have been rather objective and sincere in our approach.  We have worked from the premise that the fundamental principle of democracy cannot in any way be diluted and that, therefore, all measures must be taken to propagate, encourage and implement such democracy.  Elections epitomise the democratic principle.

Programme not event

The programme that we are proposing is a comprehensive one that includes engaging with residents on the Integrated Development Programme (IDP), the community participation programme on our new vision and plans, voter education, discussing the role of the municipality in improving the lives of people, the various government programmes, the 2011/12 budget and engagement on the President's State of the Nation Address.  The IEC's campaign to encourage registration and voting, which should be applauded, is more event-oriented as opposed to this comprehensive programme that is not just focussed on elections.

It is extremely insincere and misleading on the part of the DA to claim that this is a duplication of the IEC's work.

Walkout

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Council is a platform for democracy.  All Council decisions are fully discussed by all political parties irrespective of their size and political support.  As Executive Mayor I have willingly and proactively included opposition parties, including the DA, in most of our task teams and committees.  As the ruling party, we have never shunned the input of other parties, despite our majority numbers.

The DA's behaviour today was anti-democratic and uncalled for.  After having caucused on the matter, the DA then came back, made an inflammatory political statement and then walked out.  If the DA had decided that they did not want the item to be tabled, then why did they issue an insincere and deliberately misleading statement on the matter?  Is this going to be the DA's attitude and behaviour - to walk out every time they disagree with something?  Is this how we practice democracy?  And is this the example we show as leaders?

Division

Elections tend to divide people and, as government, we must ensure that the lessons learnt from the polarisation of society as we briefly experienced in 2008 must not be repeated.  Local newspapers have quoted local DA leaders as inciting racism by saying that Black (African) children should not be attending schools which are in the Northern Areas (in terms of the apartheid Group Areas Act, the Northern areas were earmarked as so-called "Coloured" areas).  Should these utterances be true, then the DA and all South Africans should be extremely worried.  Many words are spoken during electioneering, but inciting racism and division are unforgivable.

Unfortunately, South Africa is not yet the united, non-racist society that we yearn for.  It is not yet truly the rainbow nation of Madiba.  It is therefore important that, as government, we set aside resources to enhance and promote non-racism, unity and tolerance and acceptance among ethnic backgrounds, religions and cultures.  The programme that we had tabled today sought to do this, among other things.  The DA's objection to the Council item, along with the utterances of some of their leaders is clear evidence that they have once again resorted to the "swart gevaar" tactics of yesteryear.

As the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Council, we will not stand by and allow the residents of this beautiful city - named after our hero - to be divided by reactionary statements and cheap politicking;  we will not stand by and leave the task of promoting democracy to others; and we will certainly not fold our arms and stand by and allow a few disgruntled, insincere and misleading councillors to derail, retard and slow down the processes of democracy.

The People Shall Govern!

Cllr Zanoxolo Wayile
Executive Mayor

Statement issued by Roland Williams, Director: Communications, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, February 17 2011

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