By Luvuyo Mjekula
With less than two weeks left before the much-anticipated by-election to fill the vacancy left after the passing of Makana Municipality councillor Zodwa Cetu, Makhanda is abuzz with political parties and civic movements hitting the campaign trail every day. The African National Congress (ANC) won Ward 10 with 66.78% at the 2021 local government elections ahead of the Makana Citizens Front (MCF) with 24.31%, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 4.24% and the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 1.48%.
Voting to fill the vacancy is set to take place on Wednesday 26 November at three voting stations: Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church in Z Street, BB Zondani Hall in Victoria Road and Nathaniel Nyaluza High School in A Street. Ward 10 comprises mainly Fingo Village and Tantyi Location in Makhanda’s eastern side, with more than 3 000 residents eligible to cast their ballots. Six candidates are contesting the poll. Grocott’s Mail caught up with the candidates and asked all of them the following question:
What, in your view, is the stumbling block to effective service delivery in Makana, and if elected as ward 10 councillor, what difference will you make in the ward to improve service delivery?
Chris Bodla, Democratic Alliance (DA): People not politics
“The biggest stumbling block to effective service delivery in Makana is poor management, lack of accountability and transparency, and too much politics in basic services. In Ward 10, I want to work closely with residents, reporting issues as they happen, and making sure the municipality responds. Together, we’ll make service delivery about the people, not politics.”
Thembinkosi Master Ngeleza, Makana Citizens Front (MCF): Mindful of root causes
“We are mindful of the root causes of the infrastructure decay, sewer spillages, growing unemployment, employment of incompetent and corrupt senior officials and the ongoing corruption. I believe, that with the experience, skills and leadership qualities I possess, I am ready to lead the residents of ward 10. The vision and plan I have for service deliver include the following, and is based on the views expressed by the residents of Ward 10: to fix the ongoing water crisis; eradicate the bucket system by June 2026; fix sewer spillages and make the ward clean and end illegal dumping; create jobs for locals and the unemployed youth, including skills training and transparency in the recruitment system; an end to nepotism; fight against crime and gender-based violence; support war against hunger and poverty; promote local SMMEs, ensure that there is adequate housing; fight against corruption and fraud in the municipality; ensure residents get title deeds and amnesty on municipal rates for the poor.”
Patrick Papu: South African Communist Party (SACP): Strict service delivery monitoring
“There are two things: 1. It is the inability of illiterate councillors to understand their mandate and act on it without fear or favour thus that results in unspent budgets. Monies meant for service delivery are redirected to fancy cars, everyday travelling, huge benefits, outside organogram appointments, outsourcing of individual duties i.e., labour dispute cases while there is someone employed for that particular job, and lack of decisiveness to deal with unproductive, highly paid personnel. 2. Lack of overtime control, lack of fleet control, a dead corporate department (no policies, no consequence management). I would initiate a strict service delivery monitoring system. A full accountability. Place a qualified, visionary and goal-driven person with a love of Makana in the right job. I would enforce and introduce a skill and development training program for the youth in particular to create sustainable, self-reliant jobs.
Nomathamsanqa Mavikela: Patriotic Alliance (PA): Feel the pain of the people
“The biggest stumbling block to service delivery in Makana isn’t just corruption or incompetence — it’s that our leaders have stopped feeling the pain of the people. Everywhere you walk in Ward 10, you see it — the heartbreak of a mother who has lost hope because her house has no water, her street is full of potholes, and her child sleeps hungry. Parts of this ward are still living under the bucket system in 2025, surrounded by sewage flowing in the streets and illegal dumping sites that have become playgrounds for our children. It is heartbreaking and inhumane — a reminder that our people have been forgotten by those who were supposed to care. You see young people sitting on corners, full of potential but with nowhere to go, their dreams swallowed by unemployment and broken promises. Our people are bruised — not just by poverty, but by politics that forgot humanity. And while all this happens, our kasi economy — the one place where our people could rebuild their dignity — has been taken over by foreign nationals. The small money that should feed our families and empower our youth is leaving our community daily. Our people have become strangers in their own township. As the Patriotic Alliance, we say enough is enough. Leadership must be about love, presence, and protection of our people. I am not coming to make more promises — I am coming to serve. To walk with the mother who lost hope, to guide the young person who lost direction, and to rebuild an economy that belongs to our people. In Ward 10, we will bring back pride, accountability, and community. Service delivery starts with care — and it ends with results. We are not waiting for someone to save us; we are standing up to save ourselves.
Phaphama Nkontsa: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): Promote local economic development
“In my opinion, one of the main stumbling blocks to effective service delivery in Makana is poor management and lack of accountability within the municipality, with many service delivery challenges like water shortage, poor waste collection and bad roads. I will report and follow up on service issues promptly, promote local economic development by ensuring that young people get equal job opportunities especially in community based projects to end cycle of exclusion and unemployment, hold community meetings and listen to people’s needs and involve them in decision making. And I will work with law enforcement to improve safety and reduce crime.
The ANC candidate had not responded by the time of publication.
