The events on the Rhodes University campus last week were among the issues that found their way into the second #Makana16 Election Connection Debate in the Recreation Hall in Albany Road on Wednesday night, 20 April.
The events on the Rhodes University campus last week were among the issues that found their way into the second #Makana16 Election Connection Debate in the Recreation Hall in Albany Road on Wednesday night, 20 April.
The debate focused on the themes of improving service delivery, eliminating corruption and how to make Grahamstown “a great place to be”.
Offering residents an opportunity to interact with local party representatives, the debate consisted of a five-person panel: Julia Wells represented the ANC, Les Reynolds the DA, Mzwandile Qotoyi the EFF with Nozipho Plaatjie representing Cope and Brian Plaatjie the United Front.
Wells kicked off the debate by saying the ANC had established a “social security safety net” and that the party strongly condemned all forms of corruption and fraud in municipal or government affairs.
“There is no a party that hates corruption more than the ANC," Wells said. "We have passed 22 laws to deal with corruption.”
Les Reynolds from the DA followed and spoke in depth about what the DA plans to do if they win the local municipal elections.
“We will make sure the officials who will be appointed in municipal positions will be fit for purpose. We can make Makana what it was over 20 years ago, we will revive tourism and perform job creation.”
Representing Cope, Nozipho Plaatje accused the municipality of choosing municipal managers from outside Makana, saying that the Council must focus on recruiting local talent and expertise.
Mzwandile Qotoyi from the EFF criticised the ruling party, suggesting that the ANC had “lost its vision” and become tired. Qotoyi further spoke about what the EFF can do for residents of Makana, “The EFF will consider employing skilled workers in municipalities, and we are siding with the working class.”
During the question and answer session, the issues of rape and sexual violence were raised in the light of ongoing protest action on the Rhodes Campus. Another issue discussed at length was that of land ownership and access to resources, especially in Wards 3 and 4.
Co-hosted by Radio Grahamstown, Rhodes Music Radio and Grocott’s Mail, the debate allowed the large crowd to engage on issues which affect them daily.
The gathering allowed participants close on two hours of spirited debate before an accidental mix-up in the speaking order halfway through the final round of questions from the floor resulted in loud protests and counter-protests. Only three of the five panellists were thus able to deliver their closing statements.
The next Election Connection Debate will be held at Noluthando Hall, in Joza, on 4 May from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
