Fault Details:

Problem reported: Pothole

Detail:

Large pothole on LHS of Diaz Road just before the Mount Road circle and in line with the entrance to Municipal Engineering.

Reference Number: 1294565

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Fault Details:

Problem reported: Street Lights Out

Detail: All of the ornamental street lights on the North End Lake side of Milner Avenue appear to have been vandalized and stripped as per attached photograph

Reference Number:

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And that, dear friends, is the reason why we are so gullible.

We realise that we cannot make our lives better completely by ourselves so we embark on a campaign to find someone else, a like minded person or organisation that will echo our wants and needs and fight for them on our behalf.

Sadly for us we seem to always pick the one horse that goes lame halfway through the game. We rejoice when a new broom wins the votes at the polls and then joy invariably turns to despair when we realise that the people we chose cannot fulfill the mandate that they swept to political power on. So we ‘rinse and repeat’ never really thinking about what the fundamentals demand of a well run Ward, City, Province or Nation.

A total of 48 political parties contested the National Elections in South Africa on 8 May 2019.

Of those 48 here is a sample of the Aims of some:

• “Modernise The Security Industry Through Social -Cohesion”
• “To be a modern Pan Afrikan political Party that will build a united and prosperous country based on fairness, justice and equity.”
• “We bring to South Africa hope for a strong, healthy prosperous and purpose-driven nation.”
• “A better life for all”
• “We dream of a new future for this country, of a way forward no longer mired in the failures of our recent past.”
• “One Nation with One Future built on Freedom, Fairness, Opportunity and Diversity for All.”
• “We will with determination and consistency associate with The protest movement in South Africa and will also join in struggles that defy The unjust laws.”

And that is the crux of the whole matter – every single political party is founded on an ‘Aim to Change’ an existing status quo hence #aimforchange. But, with one main difference – I recognise that change cannot be forced, change cannot be for the sake of change. Change must come from the heart and must be desired by each and every individual.

Change is a basic thing – we all resist it as we are afraid. Afraid to greet our neighbours, afraid to praise, afraid to stick up above the crowd, afraid to celebrate, afraid to talk, afraid to support, afraid to be proud of where, who and what we are.

And that is where political parties get it wrong – fundamentally they, their leaders and their followers think that they are in charge.

Well, they are not. They have been placed there to execute the will of the people, to make people feel better about themselves and to facilitate the magical moments when people realise that they are free to dream, free to pursue their dreams and free to feel proud of theuir achievements, South Africa and their fellow citizens.

And that should start on the ground – the most basic level of ‘politics’, which is Ward Councillor level – is at the forefront of Service Delivery and those ‘leaders’ must be contactable, approachable, amenable, productive and empathetic beings able to solve the many tiny problems. Making the population in a Ward happy and productive leads to a happy and productive City.

Change happens when we look at the status quo and toss what is not working so that we can get the fundamentals right again.

Video: “I will change your life,” many said. “#aimforchange” I said

More Info on “I will change your life,” many said. “#aimforchange” I said here: https://ward7.co.za
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyPE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanwstraton

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

As a media hack, member of the fourth estate, churner of copy and paste, bearer of opinion and fluff, thermometer of public opinion, discerner of bullshit and all round cynic the leap from observing, commenting and keeping in check to actually being responsible brings new and welcomed challenges in my life.

On a Ward Council level I have always been a little bemused as to why the political parties represented in council DO NOT band together to make Nelson Mandela Bay a succesful city. And ONLY THEN embark on a fight for absolute control! After all wouldn’t you rather fight for a prize worth fighting for?

My simple businessman’s mind looks at Ward Councillors and wonders what would happen to the wards if we took away:

1. The slavish devotion to National Party Politics
2. The Party first mindset
3. The constant feeding of Party Politics
4. The constant state of war between parties

And replaced that with:

1. Total devotion to Ward matters and Service Delivery
2. A citizen first mindset
3. Not glorification of ‘the party’
4. A return to working together for the greater good

“Ward and Politics” should NOT be two words used in the same sentence, we should rather use “Ward Service” in the same sentence.

1. Will this person serve the Ward, Citizens and City BEFORE self and party?
2. Would I trust this person to run my business/look after my house/be godparent to my child/befriend my child/sibling…..

For the last hundred years we have relied on ‘politics as usual’ – maybe the time is NOW to change that thinking on a micro Ward level?

Let the position of Ward Councillor rather be seen as a testing ground, a proving ground, an apprenticeship that could allow a successful Ward Councillor to move onto a Provincial and National Political Stage!

I will stand for the position of Ward 7 Councillor in 2021.

Jack said; “A good visit from this great South African, Alan Straton. We had a constructive and fruitful engagement on a wide range of issues. We are making steady progress.”

Alan said; “People and Pride First – the rest shall follow!”

Dear Nelson Mandela Bay

#We as Community members are aware of Councillors corrupt activities

#It’s a shame that our councillors have become political corrupt hungry lions ,instead of Selfless servants of our people in their respective communities in.

#It’s also a clear indication to us as the community, why gangsters are disrespectful towards our people and selling drugs to our Communities they know who they are and still take the back seat. See our youth struggle but still create favoritism.

#I am not the type sugarcoating bullshit that are causing further marginalisation of a already marginalised Coloured Communities:

#Therefore Councillors are urged to stop this political bankrupt hungry lion and corruption and deception Immediately. Because of them not delivering service to the community look at our pavements and public draining and with this rain and flooding people’s houses will be under water, but otherwise one day is one day.

#We cannot have at this day and age rascals, hooligans from among ourselves in leadership positions, destroying their own ,THE still poor and economically marginalised communities,

#I DON’T GIVE A RAT FROM WHICH POLITICAL PARTY YOU ARE YOU WALK IN AND OUT OF THE COMMUNITY KNOWS EVERY STREET AND CORNER AND IGNORING THE ISSUES
# ENOUGHISENOUGH!

GENOEG IS BLERRIE GENOEG!!!!!

Regards

FEARLESS YOUTH REVOLUTIONARY

An independent candidate is not affiliated to any Political Party, will not ‘tithe’ a percentage of salary to a political party, will not be required to spend time on party political issues and, theoretically, should be able to dedicate his/her time more fully to the needs of constituents within a ward.

In my opinion – an independent candidate represents true democracy in action as voters will have the ability to choose their representative to ensure that service delivery occurs outside of party political issues. In addition, if an independent candidate decides to donate the portion of salary that would be tithed to a political party to improvement in the Ward he/she will get my vote!

Politically appointed Ward Councillors have to spend a larger proportion of their time on party political issues than the ‘nitty gritty’ work of ensuring that their Ward runs smoothly and that Service Delivery actually takes place.

It is Alan Straton‘s belief that Ward Councillor’s are at the forefront of Service Delivery which should occur outside of party political considerations – once a Ward Councillor has proven themselves as worthy of service then ‘promotion’ to Provincial and National Government should be allowed. Service to a Ward should be seen as a ‘testing ground’ or an ‘apprenticeship’ to test the candidate’s worthiness to hold office.

Normal Ward Councillors are permitted to hold business interests so it makes sense to elect officials that are aware of the concept of ‘time is money’ – this in itself should hasten an independent councillor’s ability to hone in on a problem and find a solution that puts Country, City and Citizen at the forefront of decision making and NOT a Political Party or Councillor.

We pay our Councillors a bucket load of money to service our Wards.

BURNING QUESTIONS:

1. Do you KNOW who your Ward Councillor is?
2. Have you met him/her?
3. If you have a problem do you know how to contact him or her directly?
4. Has your Ward improved since the last elections?

Any NO answer to the above should already be ringing alarm bells in your head!

Municipal elections will now allow individuals to stand as candidates in wards

To contest a municipal election as an independent ward candidate, you don’t need to register as a party does. You must be nominated and submit the required documents during the candidate nomination period, which is detailed in the election timetable published once an election date has been proclaimed.

Nomination

An Independent Ward Candidate can be nominated by a person (the Nominator) who:

• ordinarily resides in the municipality in that ward; and
• is registered on that municipal segment of the voters’ roll.

Requirements

The following documents must be submitted:

• A prescribed nomination form signed by the Nominator (published before municipal elections).
• A prescribed acceptance of nomination form (published before municipal elections) signed by the candidate which includes an undertaking to be bound by the Code of Conduct and a declaration that the candidate is not disqualified from standing in the elections in terms of the Constitution or other applicable legislation together with a copy of the first page of their ID book.
• A copy of the page of the candidate’s ID book on which the candidate’s photo, name and ID number appear (no need to be certified).
• A precribed form (published before municipal elections) containing the names, surnames, ID Numbers and signatures of at least fifty (50) voters whose names appear on the voters’ roll of any one of the voting districts of the ward the candidate is contesting.
• The prescribed election deposit of R1,000.00 paid by means of a bank guaranteed cheque in favour of the Electoral Commission.
• An A5 colour photo (head and shoulders) of the independent ward candidate as first choice, but black and white will not be rejected.

Please note: An Independent Ward Candidate must submit the required documents before the deadline stated in the election timetable.

For more information, please contact the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro IEC Office:

• Ground Floor, Block F, Southern Life Gardens, Newton Park 70-2nd Avenue, Port Elizabeth
• (041) 373 8604
• (041) 373-8621