Helen Zille on the ANC's dysfunctional manifesto

[kingmonty]

What are you saying - that someone in the US voted for Zille?
Is that how it worked??

How do you define a "fine job"? She's pouring money into the townships. People from E.Cape are arriving here by the truckload and setting up homes. They must think it's Christmas all year round. If we continue sponsoring that on a socialist basis then I have to ask whether this is a capitalist society at all or are we just cash cows for the poor and we forfeit services. Not that I don't feel sorry for those less well-off (marginally) - I do. I just don't agree with the system that demands people who contribute more, not to receive a basic service like road markings.

All this sounds like speculation mate. It does appear you do have a bit of a personal dislike of Zille. Credit where it's due, she did take over an ailing Western Cape, and she has turned it around.

Finally, back to the original topic (something Sackboy allowed to be clouded by his ranting). Helen Zille is spot on. The other political parties are more concerned with the history, and this makes them popular for today. What someone (and hopefully the DA can adopt this principle in full) needs to do is focus on the future and forget about trying to change history (learn from History by all means. But pack it in a memory box and move on). The ANC is living in the past, and they keep conjuring up the past every chance they get to ensure they have power. They're not actually doing anything else. They're certainly not running a country. South Africa has some dire problems, and it's going to get to the point where there won't be enough money to cover it up and gloss it over for the media. The single biggest problem of the future South Africa under ANC rule is the very real threat of becoming yet another welfare state. Don't believe me? Go and read the ANC election manifesto - carefully. Child grants for children up to 18. Social grants. Helen Zille has it right: just throwing money at the problem isn't going to it go away - in fact, it will place such a drain on our economy that it will just get compounded.

 

[kingmonty]

Have a biscuit.

At the risk of derailing this thread would you mind posting the link where you raised your concerns about the wrongful Nobel award to Crick, Watson and Wilkins?

Oh, and if you are wondering why rates and taxes and other municipal costs went up - some wonderful ANC inspired decisions led to that, viz the whole Eskom debacle and the uniform rates calculation. The metro approach was also mean to dilute the voting power of certain groups by including townships into the municipal regions. So, yes, there is 'subsidation'.

Don't forget the Municipal Property Rates Act that forced countrywide changes on all Property Rates & Taxes

 

[Tassidar]

I've seen this type of response before. You don't agree, so you demand proof, yet I must accept that your view is the correct one.

Look, I open the window and see the lack of maintenance. Years ago it was better. How do I prove that? Our DA Councilor admitted it. The adjoining DA councillor admitted it, in more colourful language I might add.
Do you actually live in the City??

I've also seen your type of argument before - its called Anecdotal, and it carries absolutely no water in a logical and reasoned debate.

 

[Sackboy]

I've also seen your type of argument before - its called Anecdotal, and it carries absolutely no water in a logical and reasoned debate.

Beyond photographing every faded line and broken streetlamp, do you have a suggestion on how to prove it. The Councilors admit they're not attending to problems as they used to, someone above also noticed it.

We're still waiting to hear who lives in this city and who voted for the Mayor, and from where?

Some communities are so fed up with inaction, they are constructing their own speed humps. Did you miss that in the news? They've been reporting on it for weeks.

 

[Sackboy]

All this sounds like speculation mate. It does appear you do have a bit of a personal dislike of Zille. Credit where it's due, she did take over an ailing Western Cape, and she has turned it around.

Finally, back to the original topic (something Sackboy allowed to be clouded by his ranting). Helen Zille is spot on. The other political parties are more concerned with the history, and this makes them popular for today. What someone (and hopefully the DA can adopt this principle in full) needs to do is focus on the future and forget about trying to change history (learn from History by all means. But pack it in a memory box and move on). The ANC is living in the past, and they keep conjuring up the past every chance they get to ensure they have power. They're not actually doing anything else. They're certainly not running a country. South Africa has some dire problems, and it's going to get to the point where there won't be enough money to cover it up and gloss it over for the media. The single biggest problem of the future South Africa under ANC rule is the very real threat of becoming yet another welfare state. Don't believe me? Go and read the ANC election manifesto - carefully. Child grants for children up to 18. Social grants. Helen Zille has it right: just throwing money at the problem isn't going to it go away - in fact, it will place such a drain on our economy that it will just get compounded.

On the contrary, I used to be a fan, until I realised that most of it was spin. Don't try and personalize everything.

 

[stoke]

The locals (I'm a new local here) in KZN are all complaining about a 360% hike in rates and taxes, with a 70% drop in service levels.

I have bikers arriving here in Durban while doing "tour the south african coast" complaining about the condition of the KZN roads, and listing the eastern and western cape roads as the most magnificent roads in the country.

I left gauteng simply because 74% of my income was going to taxes, something I am not prepared to accept.

So, to me, Zille and her team seem to be doing a sterling job. What you are posting is news to me.

Sackboy, what % increase did CapeTown city dwellers experience over the past 8 months ?

 

[JungleBoy]

I have bikers arriving here in Durban while doing "tour the south african coast" complaining about the condition of the KZN roads, and listing the eastern and western cape roads as the most magnificent roads in the country.

Last time I drove in the Eastern Cape, I just couldn't believe the state of the roads there
perhaps things have changed in the past 2 years or so

 

[NameOfBeast]

Last time I drove in the Eastern Cape, I just couldn't believe the state of the roads there
perhaps things have changed in the past 2 years or so

Must agree with you. They're pathetic, and getting worse. In fact most everything seems to deteriorate when you get cross over into the EC.

 

[Tassidar]

Beyond photographing every faded line and broken streetlamp, do you have a suggestion on how to prove it. The Councilors admit they're not attending to problems as they used to, someone above also noticed it.

We're still waiting to hear who lives in this city and who voted for the Mayor, and from where?

Some communities are so fed up with inaction, they are constructing their own speed humps. Did you miss that in the news? They've been reporting on it for weeks.

Since you ask: Yes, I do have a suggestion, but it involves some work. It also helps to analyse the data since say 2002, to get an idea of the trends that were occuring in the previous administration vs the current one.

(1) Look at revenue collection. This will tell you how much the city is collecting in revenue, and give an idea of the performance of the rates collection services.

(2) Because the above also includes rate increases, it helps to look at the size of bad debts, and their percentage relative to revenue collection. This is a better indicator of city performance.

(3) Look at the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the city budget. This will give you an idea of where the city has prioritised its expenditure to go to. This is somewhat subjective and you may or may not agree with it.

(4) Now look at the Statement of Financial Performance (Income Statement), and analyse what percentage of allocated budget was actually spent. It's all very well for a city to collect money, but it has to spend it on service delivery. Failure to spend constitutes poor performance, while overspending is also poor performance.

(5) Look at the Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet), and see how the financial situation of the city has changed over the years.

(6) Of course, it is possible that money has been lost through corruption. This should be picked up through the audit process (which of course should be independent of the city). Therefore, look at the audit report, if it is unqualified, then the city has performed well.

(7) Lastly, it would help to look at the performance management report of the city.


To answer your question, I live in the Muizenberg area, it is DA controlled, and we aren't totally happy with our ward councillor. Quite frankly, the ANC candidate is probably better. However, looking at the South Peninsula in general, I can say that the ward councilors are of high (even exceptional) quality, and have for the most part performed very well.

The speed humps incident (or at least the one that I'm aware of) took place in Masiphumelele in the South Peninsula. I'm well aware of it. The City's response is as follows:

In further consultation with the residents of Masiphumelele township , near Ocean View, the Mayoral Committee member for Transport, Roads & Stormwater, Elizabeth Thompson, Ward 61 Councillor, Nicki Holderness, ward forum member Mr Vuyo Tshongweni and City of Cape Town officials have inspected roads in the area after concerns were expressed about pedestrian safety.

Cllr Thompson said improvements already approved and scheduled would soon be implemented which would slow vehicles using these roads.

Residents dug trenches to slow vehicles after a hit and run accident last week saw a child hospitalised. “The design of existing speed bumps in the area will be re-configured to an increased height, others added where necessary and sign-posted pedestrian crossings will be constructed,” Cllr Thompson said.

Responding to concerns expressed by the local police and emergency services, Cllr Thompson appealed to local community leaders to negotiate such improvements through their ward councillors and community representatives rather than digging trenches which prevented ambulances, fire tenders and law enforcement vehicles from responding to emergencies. “Any unlawful damage to roads to slow vehicles or unlawful construction of traffic calming measures could result in emergency vehicles not getting access to sick or injured people or being unable to fight fires and the result will an unnecessary loss of lives,” Cllr Thompson said.

“Damage to Council property is a criminal offense and those responsible will be prosecuted if arrested. Law enforcement officers will accompany staff when the road is repaired and during the construction of traffic calming measures and we will ensure that the area is regularly patrolled from now on,” she said

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Media...tingtrafficcalmingmeasureinMasiphumelele.aspx

 

[Chavez]

All I know know is that CT by and large is probably the best run/maintained/etc Metro in SA ..... and the DA run it ... do the maths.

I second that!!! I've personally seen positive changes over the past year and a bit since she's taken over!

 

[EtienneK]

<continue_derailing_thread>

I just want to thank the City of Cape Town and all its people for one of the best holidays of my life. I was there in December and the city is in an awesome state.

The streets are in great shape. The city is clean. There are no beggars and street vendors on street corners. The people are friendly. And I didn't fear for my life.

Compared to Johannesburg, Cape Town is miles and miles and miles ahead!

 

[Sackboy]

Since you ask: Yes, I do have a suggestion, but it involves some work. It also helps to analyse the data since say 2002, to get an idea of the trends that were occuring in the previous administration vs the current one.

(1) Look at revenue collection. This will tell you how much the city is collecting in revenue, and give an idea of the performance of the rates collection services.

(2) Because the above also includes rate increases, it helps to look at the size of bad debts, and their percentage relative to revenue collection. This is a better indicator of city performance.

(3) Look at the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the city budget. This will give you an idea of where the city has prioritised its expenditure to go to. This is somewhat subjective and you may or may not agree with it.

(4) Now look at the Statement of Financial Performance (Income Statement), and analyse what percentage of allocated budget was actually spent. It's all very well for a city to collect money, but it has to spend it on service delivery. Failure to spend constitutes poor performance, while overspending is also poor performance.

(5) Look at the Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet), and see how the financial situation of the city has changed over the years.

(6) Of course, it is possible that money has been lost through corruption. This should be picked up through the audit process (which of course should be independent of the city). Therefore, look at the audit report, if it is unqualified, then the city has performed well.

(7) Lastly, it would help to look at the performance management report of the city.


To answer your question, I live in the Muizenberg area, it is DA controlled, and we aren't totally happy with our ward councillor. Quite frankly, the ANC candidate is probably better. However, looking at the South Peninsula in general, I can say that the ward councilors are of high (even exceptional) quality, and have for the most part performed very well.

The speed humps incident (or at least the one that I'm aware of) took place in Masiphumelele in the South Peninsula. I'm well aware of it. The City's response is as follows:

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Media...tingtrafficcalmingmeasureinMasiphumelele.aspx

Does that include looking at how much the City spends on Greenpoint stadium and surrounds?

The speed-hump incident is another one - so there are more than one. People are getting fed up with being ignored by council.

I second that!!! I've personally seen positive changes over the past year and a bit since she's taken over!

Slow down there, someone's bound to ask for proof - or is that only for opposing views?

<continue_derailing_thread>

I just want to thank the City of Cape Town and all its people for one of the best holidays of my life. I was there in December and the city is in an awesome state.

The streets are in great shape. The city is clean. There are no beggars and street vendors on street corners. The people are friendly. And I didn't fear for my life.

Compared to Johannesburg, Cape Town is miles and miles and miles ahead!

Personal anecdote is this?

Send that to the mayor's "we never reply" mail inbox.

If you didn't see beggars, dirty streets, street vendors - and could walk about without fear, then I think you got off at a different airport sonny.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Sackboy... Since u think cpt is so badly run can i suggest u spend a year living in jhb or durban to get a bit of perspective?

 

[Sackboy]

Sackboy... Since u think cpt is so badly run can i suggest u spend a year living in jhb or durban to get a bit of perspective?

I did live in Durban, and PE, so I know how those places have degraded. Cape Town has always been different, even ANC people used to moan about that . The state of your home town is for you to deal with, not me. We have higher standards, obviously.

 

[Sneeky]

Oh look it's back!

 

[Sneeky]

G'nite, feel free to elaborate on those 'things' in some reasonable detail when you get a chance Scro,,,,er, Sackboy.

 

[kingmonty]

On the contrary, I used to be a fan, until I realised that most of it was spin. Don't try and personalize everything.

How did I personalise anything? You painted Helen Zille with your opinion, and harbour a lot of bitterness toowards her because your cushy neighbourhood isn't being put ahead of a township and you're not getting a response to your email. We're all subsidising township dwellers in this country. It's called redistribution of wealth. So what?

 

[Tassidar]

Does that include looking at how much the City spends on Greenpoint stadium and surrounds?

The speed-hump incident is another one - so there are more than one. People are getting fed up with being ignored by council.

If that constitutes your response to my argument, then I'm not wasting any more time on you.

Grow up and learn to debate - oh, and perhaps learn that resources are in fact limited, and no council, however well run, will ever be able to satisfy all its citizens demands.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Ok, explain how Cape Town is different from JHB or Durban?... and how long ago was it that you lived in either of those places?

Your perspective is biased and clouded since you have nothing to compare Cape Towns management NOW with. Cape Town is easily the best managed metro in this country

 

[capetownguy]

Zille should get her own administration in order. Frikkin useless Council, Councilors, Workers - the whole dysfunctional package. She had the cheek to complain in the newspaper about pensioners writing in and complaining that she didn't answer e-mail - suggested they were liars.

Har, har, Helen if you're reading this, I think you need your eyesight checked. Botox for the brain??

and all this dysfunctionality remains 800% better than the useless crap city council under the ANC. That's a fact.