Engcobo
In an exclusive interview with the Eastern Cape Messenger, SACP Ward 16 candidate Xolani Booi lays out his plan for Engcobo after the shutdown.
As Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality emerges from weeks of unrest that brought Engcobo to a standstill, the South African Communist Party has placed its hope in Ward 16 on businessman, philanthropist and community builder Xolani Booi.
The town was shut down in August after residents, led by the Ngcobo Yethu Civic Organisation, blockaded the R61 and closed schools and businesses to demand the removal of Municipal Manager Mr. Mulaudzi over allegations of poor governance and financial mismanagement. The national JCPS Cluster intervened with a stabilisation plan and the manager was placed on precautionary suspension.
In his interview with the Eastern Cape Messenger, Booi says this moment demands a different kind of leadership, one that knows the pulse of Ward 16 and does not play games with service delivery.
“Asidlali nge service delivery. The pulse of society of Ward 16 must be clearly known by its leadership. No size fits all,” he said.
Booi says communities must refrain from electing Councillors with no educational background as this can be detrimental to service delivery.
1. Engcobo was recently at a standstill over the municipal manager and service delivery. As the SACP candidate for Ward 16, how do you read the root causes of that unrest, and what will you do differently?
ANSWER: Booi says the unrest was caused by unresponsive leadership and a tender system that excludes the community. “We are clear on our mandate. Do away with tenders. Offer service delivery to all deserving community members of Ward 16. Justice on basic infrastructure must involve community members in their community.”
2. Ward 16 residents complain about roads, water, electricity. What are the three most urgent issues and your 100-day plan?
ANSWER: “Water and sanitation, making sure water supply is maintained. Partner with Eskom to share transformer within its capacity. Roads maintained to meet a good standard.”
He said infrastructure projects must use local hands from the ward itself.
3. Municipal workers alleged that their medical aid, provident fund and UIF deductions were not paid over. What is your stance?
ANSWER: “Workers have administrative rights with responsible leadership on issues of deductions to be paid to relevant institutions,” he told the Eastern Cape Messenger, adding that worker benefits are non-negotiable under a communist-led council.
4. How will you work with civic groups like Ngcobo Yethu that led the shutdown, while respecting the rule of law?
ANSWER: “We all as stakeholders need to understand the rule of law. When any disputes arise we should have exhausted all avenues so that when we strike the law is in our favour.”
5. Youth unemployment is high and was worsened by the closure of businesses. What is your plan for jobs?
ANSWER: “Ward 16 must engage the youth on skills as we engage relevant institutions to use human labour instead of machinery and do away with tender systems. An economically active society is together in facing challenges but needs reliable sympathetic leadership. Every young person deserves an opportunity not selective individuals,” he said.
6. Why should voters choose the SACP and Xolani Booi over the ANC, EFF or civic candidates?
ANSWER: Booi says his difference is accountability. “Reporting to communities must be scheduled quarterly so that communities of Ward 16 are in touch and I listen to their concerns. The pulse of society must be clearly known.”
The hotly contested Ward 16 includes the following Villages -Nkondlo, Mandlaneni, Ngcebengwana, Didi, KwaMaya,Sithebe , Mbashe, Clarkebury , Tyeni and Ntseleni.
