Two Ward Councillors ascended to the provincial Legislature and Parliament from eThekwini, leaving vacant positions. A bi-election will take place in both wards, including Ward 34, from which councillor Bobby Maharajah recently resigned. A major sink hole appeared on Dr Yusef Dadoo Street in the Durban Central Business District.
The announcement of two Durban councillors moving into new positions, which was made earlier today (Tuesday), has left residents with mixed emotions. Ward 35 councillor Nicole Bollman said she was excited and privileged to have been elected to represent the Democratic Alliance and the people of South Africa in the National Assembly, however, the announcement is bittersweet as it meant saying goodbye to people she has served over four years. “I know many of you are wondering, ‘Now what?’ I assure you that until a new ward councillor is elected (and even long after), I will remain on the ground, actively attending to the issues our ward faces. The Democratic Alliance has already opened applications for the position, and the process is underway to ensure that you receive the same, if not better, service going forward.’(The Citizen)
‘Unfortunately, this means we will head to a by-election in the coming months. I will keep you posted on developments,” she said in a Facebook post.(The Citizen)
The national elections have certainly altered local political landscape somewhat. The DA is shifting its more experienced party members to higher positions in the country to better represent their constituencies. The DA wants to have its best qualified members in higher positions so as to be ready for whatever agenda the powers that be will put forward. Bollman will have a tough road ahead of her as she and other DA members will form part of their party’s negotiations to form a government of National Unity. The DA will move swiftly to replace Bollman as Ward Councillor. It is good that Bollman will still be in touch with her former locality and district. She will be able to help where she can. The DA is not a perfect party and neither is any other party in the country.
However, it is best to know who is the well-wishers and who has dark intentions. Democracy can create many voices. It depends on which one you listen to receive the message.
Ward 36 Councillor Shontel de Boer, who is embarking on a new venture in Provincial Legislature, said she had the pleasure of serving three wards in the city for the past 13 years. “Your (community) generosity and kindness shown to me has made my tenure a very pleasant one despite the many challenges we faced together. I do not bid you farewell as I remain a resident of Ward 36 eThekwini. I will continue fighting for the citizens of this beautiful country we call home,” she said. Both councillors will remain on the ground until new candidates are voted in. (The Citizen)
This is the path of politics. Those who show promise and talent in the path of politics and leadership are promoted. However, it is good that both Bollman and de Boer are still in contact with their original constituents. They are able to help teach the ropes to the candidates chosen by the party to succeed them. De Boer will be heading the KwaZulu-Natal legislature where she and her fellow DA MPLs will take their seats on the opposition benches alongside the African National Congress (ANC) in opposition to the Umkhonto We Sizwe Party who possess the majority of seats to form the next provincial government. sinkholes remain a concern, however.
The sinkhole developed after an underground water pipe burst on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street. The eThekwini Municipality said its Water and Sanitation Department and worked throughout the night to isolate and repair a major underground water pipe burst that occurred on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street in the Durban central business district causing a sinkhole. EThekwini Municipality warns motorist and road users of a major sinkhole that has occurred in Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street in the Durban Central Business District causing a sinkhole. EThekwini Municipality said its water and sanitation department worked throughout the night to isolate and repair a major underground water pipe burst on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street in the Durban central business district causing a sinkhole.(IOL)
The municipality has been experiencing a lot of these sinkholes recently. They should have their engineers inspect and service their current pipping to lessen this problem. Plumbers are on site working but this could have been handled earlier before the pipe burst. It is not good to have water pipes in the CBD bursting when it exposes the rot of infrastructure. Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street is a major artillery of Durban. It leads on to the Free Way. It goes through the whole of the CBD area. A major burst of the water pipes can lead to traffic piling up or an accident occurring due to the flow of water or even the collapse of the road tarmac. The municipality needs to be well prepared to deal with such crises when they occur.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
