Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
05 June 2023 | 20:12 CAT

Image: News24

Hammanskraal tells you all you need to know about an unresponsive government, says the former executive mayor of Tshwane and Build One South Africa executive committee member Stevens Mokgalpa. He writes that every administration in Tshwane failed to make headway with the dysfunctional Rooiwal Water Treatment Plant, mainly because of the combination of a lack of political will and the deep tentacles of the criminal underworld.

At least 23 people have died from the dangerously virulent cholera outbreak in Tshwane and Gauteng, Hammanskraal. There has been talk about cholera in the Vaal River, indicating that pockets of the disease are spreading to KZN. Mokgalapa advises those of us living in a municipality where the quality of water and sanitation facilities are of acceptable standards should not make the mistake of imagining it has nothing to do with us when this is a South African problem.

“Water is a basic Human Right and the cholera outbreak should concern all South Africans. Due to the extent of loadshedding, water scarcity may be the distant future reality,” he says.

The cholera outbreak focuses a lot on the functioning of the many municipalities in South Africa. In recent years municipalities in Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KZN that have collapsed have been put under administration.

According to Mokgalapa, South Africa needs a responsive government that represents the community directly, an activist electorate and active citizenship, organised and ready to define and defend their interest and eliminate anyone they see as working against those interests.

“Most of the instances, political parties are above and not serving in the interest of the people, we need to change that and ensure that there is direct representation and pact with the community,” he said.

Listen to the full interview with Host Moulana Junaid Kharsany on Radio Islam’s podcast.