Councillor's Corner
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Lifetime Bluff resident serving his third term in office as representative
of the area. Member of the Democratic Alliance.
of the area. Member of the Democratic Alliance.
This weeks Councillor comments
| Duncan Du Bois |
22 December 2006
Phone:467-0343 or mobile:083 291-4913
Municipal Manager - Dr Sutcliffe: Tel 311-2130 ;
SutcliffeM@durban.gov.za
SutcliffeM@durban.gov.za
Report dumping or unauthorised use of verges; Phone 311-7448
Metro All-Call / All hours Tel No.: 361-0000
Metro Police: Tel 402-0680
Brighton Beach SAPS: Tel 451 8060 / 8059
Brighton Beach Community Policing Forum Chairman:
Mr Eric Retzlaff : Tel 467-7473 or 084 4411-125
Metro All-Call / All hours Tel No.: 361-0000
Metro Police: Tel 402-0680
Brighton Beach SAPS: Tel 451 8060 / 8059
Brighton Beach Community Policing Forum Chairman:
Mr Eric Retzlaff : Tel 467-7473 or 084 4411-125
Useful Contacts
2006 in review: a cause for optimism
•Fri, 22 Dec 2006
Contrasting with disquieting trends are developments which engender hope, writes
DUNCAN DU BOIS
ALTHOUGH there are issues which cast grave doubts on the future prospects of life in South
Africa, during 2006 there have been developments which have contributed towards a cause
for optimism.
The 10 issues or areas that have featured this past year and on which this assessment is
based are governance, crime, skills shortage, education, Cape Town, judicial and press
performance, 2010, the economy, political management and public perceptions. The first four
issues have very negative connotations, while the remaining six contain elements of
encouragement.
Governance, as this column remarked on August 18, has become a major casualty of Thabo
Mbeki’s presidency. The corruption, nepotism and elitism that has come to infest government
is to the detriment of the millions who endorsed the ANC’s slogan of “a better life for all”.
Service delivery, the face of government, has become a shambles. The diligent scrutiny of
the recently retired auditor-general, Shauket Fakie, revealed that only seven of 135 audits
conducted on the 34 government departments over the past five years were satisfactory. Yet
amazingly not a single minister or director-general was fired. And so the rot is set to continue,
hastened, it would seem, by the notion that so-called native club government is an iconic,
African achievement.
Crime, like Aids, has become pandemic. As such, its menace and evil presence needs no
elaboration. Yet those entrusted with its combat seem unmoved by the extent to which it is
dooming the country’s prospects. The effete performance of the Minister of Safety and
Security, Charles Nqakula, and the continuation in office of the corruption-tainted police
commissioner, Jackie Selebi, inspires no hope of turning the tables on crime. With the Soccer
World Cup only 42 months away, cracking down on crime should be a top priority. Yet no
plans to increase the size of the various police services are in the offing. Failing to plan is
planning to fail.
The skills shortage and the brain drain have been on the ANC’s radar screen for some time
with concerns expressed by various senior members. In April, ANC Today expressed the
need to “recruit” migrant South Africans working abroad. But it’s all just talk. Last month a
report stated that by 2010 some 50 000 artisans would be needed. Yet in 2005 only 1 440
artisan apprentices were registered across all disciplines.
Of course, the real stumbling blocks in this area are ideological prescription and political
interference. Discriminatory labour laws discourage minorities from pursuing apprenticeships
and promote skills emigration. Not only is this acting as a handbrake on economic growth but
it is also resulting in the fatal neglect of maintenance of infrastructure. The Koeberg
shutdown was a case in point.
Incubating a failed tomorrow are the dumbed-down requirements of a pass at school level.
Coupled with typical socialist interference in the running of schools, particularly as regards
school fees, and the totally inadequate numbers of new teachers in training, contrive a
situation of collapse by 2015. The same applies to universities. Blatant attempts to
“Africanise” them and the shocking state of governance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
raises the question as to the worth of degrees from such institutions.
Contrasting with these disquieting trends are developments which engender hope. The
victory of opposition politics in the Cape Town Metro in the face of massive intimidation and
successive attempts at subversion rates as the most heartening political development of
2006. The resolve and tenacity of mayor Helen Zille, in particular, infused the political arena
with a new spirit.
Despite the continued unsavoury presence of judge John Hlophe, the functioning of the
judiciary in the Matatiele, Shaik and Oilgate cases was gratifying. An independent judiciary
not only serves to check political aggrandisement, it also sends a very positive message as
regards governance. Likewise, the press continued to play a key role in disseminating news
about corruption and in facilitating the formation and exchange of opinions.
With all it involves, the 2010 Soccer World Cup provides a huge impetus towards economic
development. As such it is a bonus that can be sustained, as far as tourism is concerned,
beyond 2010. Buoying this bullish sentiment is the solid 4,6% economic growth rate achieved
in 2006. The massive building boom along the southern and western Cape coasts tangibly
endorses that confidence.
In the sphere of political management, Tony Leon’s decision to step down as Democratic
Alliance leader next May is a bold one aimed at renewing the thrust and image of opposition.
Although the ANC’s hold on power is as daunting as that once enjoyed by the Nats, there is
merit in Leon’s determination to avoid the fate of Sir De Villiers Graaf who, after 21 years as
opposition leader, presided over the demise of the United Party.
Public criticism of politicians, notably those in the ANC, has taken on a far more critical edge.
The string of scandals and misdemeanours has marginalised credibility and sharpened
awareness about governance. This is good for democracy although a thorough purge of all
the rotten apples in the ruling party would be in the country’s best interests.
In a qualified sense there is substance to Mbeki’s claim when he opened Parliament on
February 3, that we are living in an “age of hope”. Tito Mboweni could provide impetus to that
if he were to succeed Mbeki as president of the ANC in 2007.
• Duncan du Bois is a DA Durban Metro councillor and a political analyst. He writes in his
personal capacity.
Published: 22 December 2006
The Witness
•Fri, 22 Dec 2006
Contrasting with disquieting trends are developments which engender hope, writes
DUNCAN DU BOIS
ALTHOUGH there are issues which cast grave doubts on the future prospects of life in South
Africa, during 2006 there have been developments which have contributed towards a cause
for optimism.
The 10 issues or areas that have featured this past year and on which this assessment is
based are governance, crime, skills shortage, education, Cape Town, judicial and press
performance, 2010, the economy, political management and public perceptions. The first four
issues have very negative connotations, while the remaining six contain elements of
encouragement.
Governance, as this column remarked on August 18, has become a major casualty of Thabo
Mbeki’s presidency. The corruption, nepotism and elitism that has come to infest government
is to the detriment of the millions who endorsed the ANC’s slogan of “a better life for all”.
Service delivery, the face of government, has become a shambles. The diligent scrutiny of
the recently retired auditor-general, Shauket Fakie, revealed that only seven of 135 audits
conducted on the 34 government departments over the past five years were satisfactory. Yet
amazingly not a single minister or director-general was fired. And so the rot is set to continue,
hastened, it would seem, by the notion that so-called native club government is an iconic,
African achievement.
Crime, like Aids, has become pandemic. As such, its menace and evil presence needs no
elaboration. Yet those entrusted with its combat seem unmoved by the extent to which it is
dooming the country’s prospects. The effete performance of the Minister of Safety and
Security, Charles Nqakula, and the continuation in office of the corruption-tainted police
commissioner, Jackie Selebi, inspires no hope of turning the tables on crime. With the Soccer
World Cup only 42 months away, cracking down on crime should be a top priority. Yet no
plans to increase the size of the various police services are in the offing. Failing to plan is
planning to fail.
The skills shortage and the brain drain have been on the ANC’s radar screen for some time
with concerns expressed by various senior members. In April, ANC Today expressed the
need to “recruit” migrant South Africans working abroad. But it’s all just talk. Last month a
report stated that by 2010 some 50 000 artisans would be needed. Yet in 2005 only 1 440
artisan apprentices were registered across all disciplines.
Of course, the real stumbling blocks in this area are ideological prescription and political
interference. Discriminatory labour laws discourage minorities from pursuing apprenticeships
and promote skills emigration. Not only is this acting as a handbrake on economic growth but
it is also resulting in the fatal neglect of maintenance of infrastructure. The Koeberg
shutdown was a case in point.
Incubating a failed tomorrow are the dumbed-down requirements of a pass at school level.
Coupled with typical socialist interference in the running of schools, particularly as regards
school fees, and the totally inadequate numbers of new teachers in training, contrive a
situation of collapse by 2015. The same applies to universities. Blatant attempts to
“Africanise” them and the shocking state of governance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
raises the question as to the worth of degrees from such institutions.
Contrasting with these disquieting trends are developments which engender hope. The
victory of opposition politics in the Cape Town Metro in the face of massive intimidation and
successive attempts at subversion rates as the most heartening political development of
2006. The resolve and tenacity of mayor Helen Zille, in particular, infused the political arena
with a new spirit.
Despite the continued unsavoury presence of judge John Hlophe, the functioning of the
judiciary in the Matatiele, Shaik and Oilgate cases was gratifying. An independent judiciary
not only serves to check political aggrandisement, it also sends a very positive message as
regards governance. Likewise, the press continued to play a key role in disseminating news
about corruption and in facilitating the formation and exchange of opinions.
With all it involves, the 2010 Soccer World Cup provides a huge impetus towards economic
development. As such it is a bonus that can be sustained, as far as tourism is concerned,
beyond 2010. Buoying this bullish sentiment is the solid 4,6% economic growth rate achieved
in 2006. The massive building boom along the southern and western Cape coasts tangibly
endorses that confidence.
In the sphere of political management, Tony Leon’s decision to step down as Democratic
Alliance leader next May is a bold one aimed at renewing the thrust and image of opposition.
Although the ANC’s hold on power is as daunting as that once enjoyed by the Nats, there is
merit in Leon’s determination to avoid the fate of Sir De Villiers Graaf who, after 21 years as
opposition leader, presided over the demise of the United Party.
Public criticism of politicians, notably those in the ANC, has taken on a far more critical edge.
The string of scandals and misdemeanours has marginalised credibility and sharpened
awareness about governance. This is good for democracy although a thorough purge of all
the rotten apples in the ruling party would be in the country’s best interests.
In a qualified sense there is substance to Mbeki’s claim when he opened Parliament on
February 3, that we are living in an “age of hope”. Tito Mboweni could provide impetus to that
if he were to succeed Mbeki as president of the ANC in 2007.
• Duncan du Bois is a DA Durban Metro councillor and a political analyst. He writes in his
personal capacity.
Published: 22 December 2006
The Witness
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You can contact Councillor D Du Bois by e-mail @ dubois@axxess.co.za