GOOD Tackles DA Baaskap in Saldanha
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WAARHEID! Official Newspaper of the GOOD Party Vol 7 September 2020 Free Copy GOOD tackles DA baaskap in Saldanha Veteran Saldanha Bay ward councillor and his first actions was to appoint five political Vredenburg community activist Sucilla Van support staff. “We don’t know what qualifications Tura says DA councillors of colour are expected they had, and we were not aware of any job to rubber-stamp decisions of a powerful white description or interview process. Their monthly cabal, led by Mayor Marius Koen and MP Eric cost to ratepayers is R32 000 each.” Marais. They do data capturing and door-to-door Van Tura, known as “Cilla” and highly respected canvassing, among other work. The DA has in her community, resigned as a DA member closed its office in Vredenburg (where the and councillor in July. She will contest the seat Saldanha Bay Municipality has its headquarters) she vacated as the GOOD candidate in the by- and moved into the municipal buildings; party election in October. t-shirts are stashed in the office of the Speaker. Interviewed by WAARHEID!, the normally “We talk about the Guptas and the ANC, but the hyperactive Van Tura said she felt so used by the DA also has its own Guptas – the developers. The system of baaskap that she found it difficult to get mayor talks privately to the developers, who fund out of bed in the morning. “You must sit there, the DA. but you don’t have a say,” she said. When he conducts negotiations with developers “Ek kon daar gebly het. Ek is ‘n weduwee met he doesn’t take his Mayco members. There was geen ander inkomste. Ek het nooit ‘n pensioen a pattern of plans being approved by Council but opgebou nie. But you can’t sell your soul and not being implemented.” your conscience while your people are suffering with nothing to eat,” she said. Cilla has been a In her own ward in Vredenburg, plans to build As their representative, you report back to your ward councillor for 11 years. Her trouble with 200 fully subsidised BNG homes were shelved in community about plans to build a swimming pool party bosses began four years ago, when she favour of the development of partially subsidised and install security cameras. did not support MEC Anroux Marais for the GAP housing, without her being consulted. leadership at its elective conference. Anroux But they never happen. Conditions for our people Marais is married to DA MP Eric Marais. “I have no problem with GAP housing, but stay the same, while Langebaan gets whatever GAP housing for who? Many of our people are it needs. “That Monday, the mayor moved responsibility blacklisted. They don’t have savings and can’t for housing and the Expanded Public Works get pre-approved loans. If you drive from here to Langebaan you will not Programme away from me – after seven solid believe they are both run by the years,” Cilla said. They are seasonal workers and fishermen; GAP same municipality. houses are not suitable for them. “Here begins my hell,” she Whatsapped DA “Our people know that the mayor is the baas and provincial chair Anton Bredell. They forced the project because they were can change things as he wishes. He doesn’t have Koen has been the mayor since 2016. Among delivering to their Guptas. to listen to what the community needs.” Moodey Blues: People of colour must be seen but not heard In the old days, people of colour colour. They don’t see colour; it lead the Western Cape. But it speaks racial manipulation is the ruling were not allowed to speak for must be pure coincidence that when on its supporters behalf; it doesn’t ANC which knows that its racialised themselves in South African politics. they look around the room those allow them a direct voice. And, official opposition can never They were instead spoken for by they see holding the levers of power, similar to the native representatives seriously challenge it for power. white representatives. The greatest losers are those who As it was in the country then, so it is support the DA out of dislike for the in the DA today. The resignation of ANC or black leadership without its Gauteng leader John Moodey this questioning why, under the DA, they month continues the trend which continue to live in overcrowded, has seen the party lose virtually its under-serviced and unsafe ghettos. entire cohort of leaders of colour: Aunty Pat, Wilmot James, Lindiwe The old parties are marooned in the Mazibuko, Mmusi Maimane, quicksands of history. Herman Mashaba. They have failed to evolve beyond Of the few who survive, expect the 1994 context. Neither holds the another wave of departures after necessary solutions and integrity to the party’s electoral conference in truly fix the country, for all. November. Party insiders say they brought Helen Zille back because What the GOOD Movement is about they were terrified of losing support is building a safe space for South to the FF+, and that’s what’s driven Africans to fashion new alternatives the exodus. whose voices count, are almost of the old days, they have no real to true community representation exclusively white. The DA depends interest in improving the conditions and power. When challenged on the departures, for its oxygen on the votes of people in which those they represent live. DA leaders say they don’t see of colour. Without them it could not The greatest beneficiary of this Page 1 HERITAGE DAY 2020: Without the knowledge of your history, you cannot determine your destiny. Your Rights - Brett Herron GOOD Candidate Spears Cleanup Operation; MANAGING DEBT Reveals DA Mismanagement If you receive a letter of demand, Ward 14 of the George municipality such as Charleen taking matters into call or visit the bank or store and has been stuck without a Ward their own hands. discuss your situation Try to make an Councillor since February when DA arrangement to pay if you can. If you councillor – Edmund Bussack – was According to her, the municipality’s cant make an arrangement negotiate fired for cooperating with opposition inability to respond to Ward 14’s that you will come back in a month’s parties. concerns is emblematic of how the time to update them on your situation. DA has governed George. In her own In the midst of all of this, service words: Don’t ignore a summons delivery has effectively ground to If the Sheriff of the Court delivers a a halt. “They only care about the people in summons DO NOT IGNORE IT. the dorp. I feel like they don’t care The country’s economy is in turmoil A major consequence of this is that about the poor and the people in need. and many people have lost their jobs, The summons is the start of court waste management operations have I’ve been a volunteer for years and lost their businesses or are living proceedings against you. If you not been fulfilled, leading to hordes of nothing has changed.” on reduced income. When we have ignore it the creditor can take what trash being laid bare in public spaces. no income, or less income, its very is called “default judgement” against Of course, open waste leads to many She believes that the DA has difficult to manage debt and accounts. you. Its called “default” because you issues including health risks and disappointed those who voted for them Bank loans, clothing store accounts, did nothing about it. Once they have environmental pollution. in Ward 14: car payments, bonds or rent become judgement against you your name is debt burdens that can overwhelm us. blacklisted and its very difficult to Charleen Titus – the GOOD candidate “I am upset and disappointed that the clear it. If you get a summons for Ward 14 – recently led a cleanup DA is not looking out for the people Most banks and stores are aware that immediately contact the law firm that operation in parts of Rosedale, a that voted for them. They look after their customers are struggling and they sent it (their contact details will be on community which forms part of her the rich. They must notice us too”. have put debt relief options in place. the summons) and discuss a payment ward. But it is up to you to be proactive and arrangement. If they get a default Come November 11, she wants to to talk to your bank, landlord or store judgement against you they can send On the 22nd of August, Charleen, make Ward 14 a GOOD ward. and make arrangements you are able the Sheriff back to your house to attach along with other GOOD activists, to stick to. It is very important that and remove your furniture, TV, car to filled over 20 refuse bags with you are completely honest with your sell to cover the debt. uncollected trash. She says there is creditor and that you make a payment a lot more to be done for Ward 14 to arrangement that you are sure you Do consider debt counselling stay clean. can honour. If you are overwhelmed with debt obligations you should consider According to her, community Here are some do’s and don’ts: Debt Review. members and GOOD activists reached out concerning the complaints they Keep your address up to date This is a process, in law, where you had over the littering and illegal Remember when you signed a loan are assisted by a Debt Counsellor to dumping which was taking place.