TOPHAM FOR MAYOR

By Cllr Francois Bekker
Brandon Topham is the DA’s Tshwane mayoral candidate. Bringing youth, expertise, business acumen, and zest to the candidature, Topham promises to embody DA supporters’ quest for change that is so desperately needed to turn the Tshwane Metro’s track record of one of the worst performing metros in the country into a success story synonymous with genuine service delivery to all the residents of the city.

Topham is committed to champion good and clean government underscored by transparency, accountability and effectiveness. “I am firmly committed to creating an employment generating environment. I realize the paramount importance of economic development that is needed to achieve the growth, progress and stability that is needed to build a strong and prosperous society.” said Topham when he accepted his nomination as the DA’s mayoral candidate. “I am cognisant of the fact that the mayoral position is an unremitting responsibility.” Topham added.

With an impressive background as a Forensic auditor, Topham is a Charted Accountant and an attorney he will show zero tolerance to corruption, maladministration and incompetence that rob residents of value for their rates and taxes.

Elected for a second term last year as chairperson of the DA Gauteng North region, Topham enjoys the support of his colleagues and is regarded as someone who unites people around shared values, goals and aspirations.

The many leadership positions held by Topham in various organisations and committees is testimony of Topham’s leadership ability. “I am often the maverick that chooses not to be ordinary, because ordinary, as the saying goes, does not change the world.”

Married to Mari and the father of three sons, Topham values the essence of family as the foundation of a stable society. “As a politician I care deeply about the wellbeing of people and their futures” said Topham. “My aim is to make the Tshwane Metropolitan city a place where people from all walks of life can pursue their dreams and live the lives they choose to live.”

MAYOR GIVES ELECTION SPEECH

Today’s State of the City address by the Executive Mayor can be seen as a pre-election speech. Although he mentioned the successes of the Metro during the previous five years, he did not mention any shortcomings in delivery.

The Democratic Alliance yesterday proposed for the second year an alternative State of the City Address highlighting the ANC’s failures in several departments.

If one looks at service delivery one can really think of many instances where the Tshwane Metro failed the community. Why did the switch gear in the Kentron Substation at Centurion catch fire? Because of the failure to implement a maintenance plan for such infrastructure? Why is raw sewage running into the Apies River at Rooiwal? Why are many Itsoseng residents still not connected to an installed sewage system in their township?

The Mayor said that the City must start enforcing city by-laws vigorously and he mentioned safe buildings. All I can ask Mr Mayor is when last did you look at our own building? Do you ever use the dysfunctional lifts in Munitoria and do you ever park in the basement parking of Sammy Marks to experience the fresh smell of sewage? Not to mention the grass that is growing on top of some of the parking garages in the Munitoria yard.

He said that the Metro provided more than a million plastic bags for waste collection. The question is - who benefited; the residents or the service provider?

As far as the next five years are concerned: Yes it is a good wish list and it is a challenge to set tough goals. The question remains: will the Mayor with the manpower/structures in place be able to meet these goals? I doubt it!

FIREMAN'S DEATH HIGHLIGHTS STORMWATER PROBLEM

BY CLLR KAREN MEYER

I wish to add my condolences to those already extended to the family of Mr Henry Knox by my colleagues, Ben and Dana Wannenburg, on behalf of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Tshwane Caucus. It is always sad when we lose our members, particularly when they lose their lives to either save or serve others in the community. We salute them!

As Alderman Gert Pretorius (DA Caucus Leader in Tshwane) indicated in a statement issued last week, how many more lives must be lost and/or property damaged before the Tshwane Metro Council gives urgent attention to the insufficient and inefficient storm water drainage system in the City of Tshwane? Clearly, the infrastructure cannot handle the flooding on the scale that we have been witnessing. Judging from world trends regarding unpredictable weather patterns, we can expect more of these types of natural disasters. WE NEED TO BE FULLY PREPARED!

A thorough risk analysis needs to be done immediately and the red areas identified. Once this has been done, adequate budgeting can take place. For example, the department of Disaster Management only receives about R12 000-00 per annum which is budgeted for disaster relief aid (eg. blankets). Other departments do assist but do not really budget for this.

Furthermore, are our emergency services properly equipped with general disaster management vehicles? Are their current vehicles sufficiently suited and equipped to deal with natural disasters such as flooding? If not, this should be budgeted for as a matter of priority.

We should not put the lives of our emergency services personnel at any greater risk –their jobs are hazardous enough. The DA wishes to thank each and every member who was (and still is) involved in rescue missions, for the sacrifices made in serving the residents of Tshwane. We pray for their safety.

FLOOD DAMAGES PUT SPOTLIGHT ON INSUFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE

BY ALDERMAN GERT PRETORIUS,DA LEADER IN THE TSHWANE METRO COUNCIL

During the week following New Year scores of residents in the north of Pretoria were washed out of their homes by heavy rains in the area. Hammanskraal seems to have been one of the worst affected areas. Furniture and personal belongings were apparently lost or damaged. Residents interviewed by the media expressed their dissatisfaction with the ANC-led Tshwane Metro Council and blamed it for their losses. They allegedly claimed that the council had failed to address their problems.
A week later, the Pretoria News headline screamed: “Wall crushes toddler to death”. According to the article, a three year old orphaned boy was killed after heavy rains caused a wall to collapse in Winterveld (about 30km north of Pretoria).This occurred on Sunday, 9 January 2011.
Once again, members of the community blamed the government for the tragedy. They complained that they had to live in mud shacks whilst waiting for RDP houses. A community leader is quoted as having said: “Just early in the afternoon before the accident, we were with the member of the mayoral committee (MMC) and we told him that the houses were not safe as it was raining but it seemed as though our pleas fell on deaf ears”.
How many more properties must be damaged and/or destroyed or even worse, lives lost, before the Mayor and his committee take firm steps to address the issue? We in the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Tshwane Metro Council understand what it is to have our pleas fall on deaf ears. Whilst we are limited in the actions we can take, the community can do something positive. There is really no place for suffering in a democracy – Give the DA a chance to govern Tshwane and vote for change during the forthcoming municipal elections.