Esethu Mntsantsa- NAYCO Mayoral Candidate
Staff Reporter
Nkondlo A/A – Engcobo
Youth-led civic organisation Ngcobo Yethu, also known as NAYCO, today launched its election manifesto for Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality with a bold promise to leave no stone unturned in its quest to transform the municipality.
The launch, held amid fanfare at Komkhulu Enkondlo, was led by the organisation’s mayoral candidate, activist Esethu Mntsantsa, and comes ahead of the much-contested November 4 Local Government Elections. NAYCO is contesting all wards in Engcobo and is promising to change people’s lives.
In a heart-warming welcoming address, Amaqwathi Chief Zwelenkosi Dalasile appealed to NAYCO leadership to prioritise local communities.
“According to Chief Dalasile, the lives of the people have to change and the time is now or never,” he said.
In explaining the purpose of the day, NAYCO leader Lonwabo Delihlazo said the movement is inspired by the suffering of the people of Engcobo.
“NAYCO is inspired by the suffering of the people of Engcobo – from taxi operators, hawkers, residents and even traditional authorities. NAYCO is a collective of these stakeholders who have vowed to change the status quo and claim the mayoral chain from the ruling party,” Delihlazo said.
Delihlazo said NAYCO is a collective led by young people who believe the community of Engcobo deserves better. He said the manifesto is not just a political document, but a people-driven contract to fix crumbling roads, dry taps, incomplete projects and poor governance.
NAYCO is partnering with the local Taxi Association, Hawker structures, and Truck and Plant organisations, and has received huge backing from the local community.
Ngcobo Yethu has been at the centre of recent community action in Ngcobo. The organisation has backed shutdowns over service delivery failures and most recently over long-distance transport operations, where activists including Mntsantsa raised concerns about Intercape bus operations exceeding permitted limits. The shutdowns, which at times brought the town to a standstill and disrupted schooling and business, forced national attention.
Now, NAYCO says it wants to take the fight from the streets to the council chamber.
“The people of Dr AB Xuma have been left behind for too long. This manifesto is our commitment that we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to restore dignity, deliver services and put the people first,” Delihlazo added.
Messages of support poured in from various local stakeholders:
–Hawkers Association Chair Lunga Nkasela: “We believe in NAYCO to help us achieve our cause. The municipality is not assisting us in any form.”
–Rate Payers Association representative Anne Nyamakazi: “The Rate Payers Association believes that NAYCO will provide solutions to the current impasse between the association and the municipality. We have long complained about issues including the increase in rates but local authorities are not prepared to listen.”
-Local Taxi Association Chair Anathi Mtwetwe: “We are fully behind NAYCO and we wish them every success in these elections. The condition of roads in our villages is appalling and leaves much to be desired. It’s difficult to conduct transport in a place where there are no proper roads.”
Mntsantsa, in his usual element, outlined the organisation’s key pledges, which include clean governance, jobs for local youth, support for small businesses and hawkers, and reliable basic services. He said NAYCO promises leadership that will listen to the people.
Ngcobo Yethu Civic Organisation manifesto highlights:
– Municipal plant must be utilised effectively and without favour to assist local communities.
– Access to clean, safe drinking water is a priority.
– Youth unemployment will not be tolerated. A focus on development can change the fortunes of young people.
– Co-operatives will be brought back to facilitate food security and bring food prices down.
– In the first 100 days, all people who were employed irregularly by the municipality will be demoted.
– All people involved in corruption must be investigated and removed to protect the municipal coffers.
– Clean governance is a must and there will be no compromise.
The event was a resounding success, with a call to give NAYCO a chance in order to change people’s lives.
