Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
13 July 2023 | 19:28 CAT

Image: Google

It is no secret that many of our country’s municipalities are in dire straits. It has emerged that in KwaZulu-Natal, the province with some of the most troubled municipalities, almost 300 councillors need help to read or write.

Furthermore, municipalities across the country need more municipal managers.

Political analyst North West Professor Andre Duvenhage states the political process of electing councillors that cannot read and write have a lot to do with the politics of the governing party, although not exclusively.

“It is about the concept of representativeness, especially in the rural areas and the whole concept of cadre deployment. The end results in people in positions that they are not qualified for,” Duvenhage says.

As a result, community members blame these councillors for the poor state of municipalities in the province.

Duvenhage says that this highlights the deeper issues within the political system.

“Unfortunately, it is not stopping at the level of politicians and councillors. It’s also applicable to the bigger regime of the political system and people employed in the bigger system, referring to people in specialized skills who are just replaced by people who are unqualified,” adds Duvenhage.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.