Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 27-11-2018

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

Renowned journalist Ferial Haffajee has told Radio Islam while the Democratic Alliance (DA) is used to governing in modernist societies, it has failed an immigrant-rich community that is less affluent.

Haffajee a former resident of Mayfair says the area was a haven for social cohesion before falling into disarray and failing on almost every single metric of good local governance.

She says Mayfair which is part of the DA-governed ward 58 has citizens of 35 countries living in it is incredibly dirty with piles of rubbish everywhere including condoms strewn on the ground in the notorious ‘Condom Park’.

Haffajee emphasized that while other areas like Ward 117 governed by the DA are near perfect examples of excellent local government because it is near homogenous in terms of class, race and nationality, the party has failed at the opportunity to govern one of the most multi-national municipalities in the country well.

Haffajee says the multiple failures in Mayfair impacts on the dignity of fellow residents.

“Not to cast aspersions Alex Christians the councillor the DA has put in, but they always seem to be parachuting in people just because they are Muslim and just because they are Indian which seems to me a little bit of racial profiling going on rather than looking at what your communities needs are.”

Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba was unavailable to contribute to the debate due to other commitments.