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Municipal elections in Port Elizabeth are set to be closely contested. Danny Jordaan and Athol Trollip set out their stalls
ATHOL TROLLIP, DA MAYORAL CANDIDATE FOR NELSON MANDELA BAY METRO
The DA has a vision to make Nelson Mandela Bay one of the great cities and tourism destinations in the world.
This week in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro B, with the Danny Jordaan administration denying us permission to march against Jacob Zuma’s corruption and the municipality cracking down on a billboard that demonstrated how Mayor Jordaan is a Zuma proxy, one could see the intolerance and paranoia of an ANC administration that knows it is up against the ropes.
This is because the DA is surging ahead, gaining support and set on winning Nelson Mandela Bay, to deliver our vision and plans to change the metro into the thriving city it can be.
It has the potential to rank among the great cities of the world. We have all the ingredients – open and generous people, bountiful natural resources, an unparalleled coastline stretching from the tropical Wild Coast to the “Mediterranean” western coast, and a breathtaking and strategic trading location – for the city to be a success story. All that is absent is a caring government that promotes real freedom, and provides fairness and ladders of opportunity in every community.
Currently, the metro is paralysed by problems that have plagued communities for years. The ANC government is unable to deal with the issues that matter deeply to people because it is riven by factional divisions. This is a government with no vision, purpose or direction. Having had six mayors and six municipal managers in 15 years is a sure sign of terrible instability. It is a government systematically taking us backwards. That is why it is time for a new government with a new vision that will put the people first by improving service delivery, stopping corruption and creating jobs.
The DA envisages the city as an opportunity metro with a growing economy that creates jobs. It would enable the city to become the fastest-growing tourism destination in South Africa, attracting thousands of travellers and billions of rands in revenue. Let there be no doubt: a growing tourism industry combined with infrastructure-led economic growth is critical to ensuring we build a diverse and sustainable economy that attracts investors and creates jobs.
Our vision of a safe metro focuses on targeting crime using locally proven solutions and an effective Metro police service. Working with community policing forums, the police will make Nelson Mandela Bay safer. Specialised gang and drug units supported by a comprehensive closed-circuit television camera network will ensure that we can be responsive and effective in dealing with and eradicating gang-driven crime.
It is important for citizens to know that their government cares for them. That is why, in a caring metro, the DA believes government must be close to the people and remain in touch with the needs of all communities. We shall have people-friendly policies and roaming delivery teams to monitor citizen satisfaction. This requires a responsive government that delivers quality services on time and within budget because we are stewards of the people’s taxes. A government that listens, responds and delivers is a government that cares.
Imagine a city without potholes, broken streetlights and crumbling infrastructure; where people have access to excellent and affordable basic services, safe roads, and beautiful and well-maintained public spaces. This is our vision of a well-run metro. In these communities, there is a high level of trust – where the public knows what its money is being spent on and has a say in government and planning for the future. Ensuring fairness for all is a key goal of well-run cities.
Nelson Mandela Bay will become a connected and integrated city that celebrates diversity, and provides freedom of movement through a safe and reliable public transport system. Townships and informal settlements will be upgraded to suburbs, with the necessary infrastructure and services to ensure all communities become dignified and safe spaces of opportunity under a caring DA government.
The DA’s vision is one of a forward-thinking metro that plans for the future; a forward-thinking city that takes the dreams and aspirations of its residents to heart. Multigenerational planning that is not governed by election timetables is how to leave a legacy for our children, and for theirs. This is only possible when leaders think and plan beyond their term of office.
This weekend, as the DA launches its vision for local government in our manifesto, I’m filled with hope for the future of this city. Nelson Mandela Bay can be great and thrive. We can create jobs, cut corruption and deliver quality services. That starts with a new government with a new vision. Change is coming to Nelson Mandela Bay.
DANNY JORDAAN, NELSON MANDELA BAY METRO MAYOR
Something in me dies every time I am confronted by poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Growing up in Port Elizabeth, we knew that the automotive industry was the only viable employer that could rescue people from the quagmire of helplessness. Since taking office about 10 months ago, I have been preoccupied with diversifying the economy and developing its various sectors. The opportunity is to contribute towards building a growing and inclusive economy.
Under the aegis of the Five Golden Years, we have identified four pillars: the oceans economy (maritime transport, ship repair, boat building and aquaculture); the township economy (revitalising infrastructure, enterprises and markets, and the high mast broadband project); tourism (sports and property); and the creative economy (generation of knowledge, information and human-centred development). I have little doubt these economic sectors will help reduce the metro’s dependence on a single industry or market.
The economic-diversification model is designed to transform our metro into a smart metropolis that is distinctly African, yet world class. We are marching towards a stable local government, and have a strategy for catalytic and path-breaking programmes. To crown it all, technology will play a pivotal role in economic development, and the metro is maximising broadband access for underdeveloped areas, creating economic growth, increasing revenue and improving community safety.
The new economic sectors we are implementing will help the metro’s economic structure become more diversified and balanced, resulting in it hosting a range of businesses, particularly in higher value-added activities. This will help to attract and welcome talent to augment the local skill pool and, subsequently, become a hub of skilled labour and headquarters for decision-making in the identified sectors.
For the Five Golden Years to thrive, we have partnered with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan University to build research and development capabilities, establish trade ties with other countries to enable local companies to sell their goods to a larger market, and nurture the growth of small, medium-sized and macro enterprises to drive job creation.
We believe this could serve to keep our youth off the streets and away from the social ills of gangs and gang-related violence, and drug and substance abuse, by restoring hope and dignity, and ensuring they are active citizens in the economic spectrum.
An important feature of our growth model is stakeholder and partnership relations; managing the environment and scarce land resources; and developing human capital, which will result in building communities and transforming lives. I am resolute in transforming the lives of our people. There have been a number of improvements and these include:
. Nelson Mandela Bay has cash reserves to the tune of R1.2 billion.
. Nelson Mandela Bay is joint with Ekurhuleni and Cape Town as the highest credit-rated municipality in South Africa (Moody’s).
. Cash holdings have risen from R468 million (June 2011) to R1.69 billion (December 2015).
. This year the supply chain system has been completely overhauled and computerised. The problem should not recur.
. Our only audit qualification this year was around the leave registers. We are appointing a contractor to resolve these issues by June.
. We are cleaning out corruption (29 officials have been removed already) and managing inefficiency challenges, and have put down a five-year plan that will change the economic life of the metro entirely.
. There has been no significant expenditure of Integrated Public Transport System money since we took office. The transport project is under review and we are committed to delivering a safer, reliable and efficient transit system.
. The imminent launch of the Metro police will build safer communities.
I am confident that with the ongoing support of national and provincial treasuries, the department of human settlements, the national department of cooperative governance and the dedication of the municipality’s staff, as well as the participation and support of our communities, we can make a difference in our communities, deliver the services our people deserve and transform our society to deliver on the promise of a better life.
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