The Rep 20 October 2017.compressed

THE REPRESENTATIVE 20 October 2017 Tel: (045) 839-4040 Emergency: (A/H) 083-272-0955 ° Editorial: sonjar@timesmedia.co.za - advertising: charodinev@timesmedia.co.za 11
EDITORIAL
OPINION
EMLM –
it’s time to
get real
THE Enoch Mgijima Local strain is starting to show.
Municipality (EMLM) is in So, where to now? The Rep this
t rouble.
week reports on the formation of
Despite opposition, it was a task team which includes
decided in 2015 that the former members of the private sector
Lukhanji Municipality would and municipal representatives
amalgamate with the Tsolwana who will strive to find solutions
and Nkwanca municipalities to and to turn the ship around.
form a new local authority – What is positive is that there
EMLM – which would oversee the will be a joint effort to try and
towns of Komani, Tarkastad, turn EMLM into a financially
Hofmeyr, Whittlesea, Ilinge, Sada, viable entity and to ensure that
Sterkstroom and Molteno. service delivery happens in the
Tight financial restraints facing area. Now is not the time for
the former Lukhanji have since politics. We all have a vested
then bloomed into a crisis as interest in ensuring that the
power cuts and a lack of municipality and the area it
maintenance of infrastructure, serves recovers and that it,
resulting in the accompanying hopefully, grows and develops
woes of pot-holed streets without into a thriving structure.
lights, collapsing stormwater The benefits of local
drains, a filthy environment and government that is accountable
more with no money to fix it, take and prospers are manifold –
its toll on the area.
better services, improved
The added pressure of two working relationships with the
massive strikes by municipal community, investor confidence
workers within just over a year, and more jobs.
has done little to improve the A failing local government will
situation as the concern and result in the exact opposite –
grumblings over service delivery more unrest and protests, a lack
grow among residents.
of service delivery, disinvestment
To be fair, the new EMLM and less jobs.
inherited a difficult situation after It’s time to get real and to join
the amalgamation of three efforts – regardless of political or
municipalities – not one of which personal interests – to make this
was thriving financially – and the area work.
What next?
I HAVE never been to any other
country other than South Africa in
my 40 odd years of existence. Even
though that might be so, I bet ours
is one of the most eventful
count ries.
Things occur at breakneck speed
and if you do not keep abreast of
it, you will be left behind. I jokingly
said on Facebook that teachers
must from now on never include in
their tests to their pupils this
particular question: “Who is the
minister of what portfolio?”
This would
perplex the poor
pupils as our
commander-inchief
has a
nasty habit of
reshuffling his
cabinet as often
as a card player on the blackjack
table. His party, the ANC, seems
powerless to do anything about it.
By the look of things, December
is too far, so much water would
have flowed under the bridge by
then that it would well-nigh be
impossible to turn the tide. The
choice is simple, really – shrug
your shoulders and brace for more
or stand up and push back.
Both choices have their own
inherent risks and there are sure to
be casualties – but what is losing
bodyguards, a luxury car and a
driver as compared to the real
possibility of death and
imprisonment during the struggle?
Why are our gallant freedom
fighters so scared to stand up for
principles when their lives are not
in danger as compared to during
the struggle?
IN
TOUCH
... with Phumelele P Hlati
Have they gone so soft that their
comfort and job security are more
important than principle? Are VIP
lounges and five-star hotels so
impor tant?
Or were we sold a ruse about
these gallant fighters who were
going to march down Church Street
in Pretoria and liberate us all? Are
we seeing their real selves?
Can the ANC be saved or, more
importantly, are there enough
leaders of high moral standing and
integrity to right the capsizing
ship? Do those
leaders
possess what
is needed to
forge their way
through the
dirty tricks
that are sure
to come their way? Once again the
hopes are pinned on one person in
December to right all the wrongs. I
am afraid we are set to be
disappointed again.
The saying goes: “Histor y
teaches us nothing”.
People have said Zuma is not the
problem – instead its the
multitudes that allowed him to
ascend to the top.
All he is doing is being himself.
Now that has happened, what are
they doing to pull the country back
from the brink?
Not much, except whine at every
opportunity. Have I depressed you
enough? I had hoped to write
about the positives, but these are
hard to come by.
Even the brave loss by the
Springboks is still a loss – so here
we are.
ON THE STAGE: Enjoying the limelight at the Wonderland playschool concert were, from left, Nelisha Haripersad, Helen
Galatia Smith and Caitlyn Aspey
Picture: MEMORIES PHOTOGRAPHY
FACE 2 FA C E
Question: What best defines
a good leader?
Answer: A good leader is
someone who listens to others
and allows his or her inner
wisdom to learn, grow, change
and reflect.
Q: If you were to meet a
younger version of yourself,
what advice would you give
h i m?
A: Be strong and
courageous, and all your
dreams and desires will come
t rue.
Q: Do you think we are living
in the best or worst times
and why?
A: We are currently living in
the worst times ever, where our
leaders’ only concern is their
own enrichment. Our country’s
economy is in junk status
because of that and political
intolerance and instability is
also at its peak, hence the
political killings in
K wa Z u l u - N at a l .
Q: What is your typical
weekend like?
A: Playing cricket and going
LUTHANDO DONDOLO
DO YOU think society has
enough knowledge of – and
empathy with – people
suffering from depression as
they do for people with
disabilities?
The Rep intern S i v e n at h i
Gosa took to the streets of
Komani to find out.
Luthando Dondolo from
Whittlesea
I think people do not have
enough knowledge about
depression, because they
have not experienced it or
they do not know someone
who is suffering from it.
Depression leads to people
to church with my family.
Q: Describe South Africa in
three words?
A: Democratic rainbow
n at i o n .
Q: What is that one thing you
do everyday?
A: Pray.
Q: If you were an animal,
which one would you be and
why?
A: A lion, it's a symbol of
strength and courage.
Q: What do you think are the
biggest problems facing the
countr y?
A: Corruption, inequality and
pover t y.
Q: What is your motto in life?
A: Fight for what is right
until you have nothing left for
which to fight.
Q: What would you change
about Komani?
A: I would bring back the
love of sport and build and
maintain the sports fields so
that our children and the
younger generation can keep
on playing.
YOUR VOICE
... vox pops on the street
What do you think about ...
GLADILE MINGA
committing suicide, because
they do not have enough
support from their relatives
and friends. It is not a
physical problem, but an
emotional one.
Gladile Minga from
Mlunigisi
Society is not aware
enough about depression.
People suffering from
depression tend to keep their
emotions to themselves.
I think there should be
support groups where they
could share their stories with
other people. I think it would
be better to share your story
with chairman of the Queenstown club
cricket association Siviwe Ngoqo
SIYABULELA MKOSI
NOLUTHANDO PETER
with a stranger, than with
someone you know because
some people are afraid of
being judged.
Siyabulela Mkosi from
E zibeleni
We as the society are not
fully aware of mental
illnesses like depression
because it is not talked
about as much as other
diseases. I think there should
be support groups for people
with depression and anxiety.
Noluthando Peter from
Khayelitsha
Depression is dangerous,
SITHELISO SINYANDA
as it makes people
delusional about things that
affect their lives. There
should be more awareness,
just like there is for HIV/Aids.
People do need support from
their families and friends.
Sitheliso Sinyanda from
Khayelitsha
I do not think people have
enough knowledge about
mental illnesses, and society
does not empathise with
people suffering from such
illnesses due to a lack of
knowledge. There is more to
depression than what people
think.