Drakenstein’s surprises and disappointments

#2016MunicipalElections had some surprises and disappointments. The Democratic Alliance not only became the first political party to win a consecutive local government election in Drakenstein, but also increased their vote with nearly 10%. It looks like the DA is copying part of its City of Cape Town performance in the second biggest municipality in the Western Cape.

While the DA increased their support in the Paarl East – coloured – area, especially Chicago, Amstelhof, Nederburg, Denneburg. It did not show any major increase in so-called “white-areas”. In Wellington the DA’s support took a dip in most of the wards. This could be due to the support the EFF, PDM, Freedom Front Plus, Federation of Democrats, ACDP and ICOSA received.  Smaller parties all increased their vote from 2011. Most notably is the PDM who gaining 1.01% from 2011’s 0.68%. ACDP gained 0.38% and the FF+ gained 0.35%.

The ANC managed to only get 23.59% of the vote. That is 7.23% less than the 30.83% in 2011 and will send the once governing party to the drawing board. The ANC’s support in the wards it managed to hold onto also took a dip of between 4 and 6%.

Another notable thing from the election is that former ANC councillor, Linda Landu – who defected from the ANC to the DA, months before the election – could not win Ward 12 as her new party might have hoped for. She only managed to get 4.2%, would thus be interesting to see with what Mayco position she would be rewarded.

There were atleast three surprises in this election in Drakenstein. One of them being the DA not only taking the Gouda ward from the ANC with more than 10%, but increasing their support to just under 50%.

The DA also took control of another former ANC stronghold, the Simondium ward, with 62.32% - 15.17% more than the ANC’s 47.15% in 2011. This could be due to unhappiness by residents in the ward with the former councillor. What makes the win significant though is that the DA candidate is not even from the area.

Smaller parties showed they should not be underestimated in local government election. The Progressive People’s Movement took control of an ANC stronghold. The PDM won the ward but with less than 50% only getting 41.67%. What makes it surprising is that the ANC lost more than double its support, falling from 85.53% in 2011 to 40.83% in this election.

One of the other surprises is that the EFF did not perform as well as many might have hoped it would. This could indicate that while some agree with some of the things the revolutionary movement is advocating for, its performance on the Parliamentary floor was not good enough.

While the EFF gathered quite support in coloured areas, across Drakenstein, it managed to make some good inroads in Mbekweni - possibly contributing to the drop in the ANC support.

As the fourth Drakenstein municipal council constitutes the voice of the voters will be represented in council by eight political parties. This is the most political party representation since the amalgamation in 2000 of the council.

It's all about the X

On 3 August more than 26 million of my fellow 54 million South African’s can like me go and make their X. 

We will get the opportunity to choose a political party and ward candidate to represent our needs and deliver on their promises.

Once I have made that cross I will have to live with our collective decision on who will represent my ward and govern my municipal area. 

It is thus important that when I make my X I do so with prise and use my vote wisely.

Just fewer than 50,000 of the more than 3 million Western Cape voters are between 18 and 19 and will make their X for the first time. They/we will get to pick from a record 200 parties and 61 014 candidates contesting the 2016 Municipal Elections; this is approximately 65% more parties and 12% more candidates than in 2011.

Some experts have called this the most important election since that all important 1994 one. All elections are important though, but what would make this one interesting is to see if we as voters will vote according to our needs or based on our loyalty.

Our vote is more than an opportunity it is a responsibility that gives us access to the right to hold our public representatives accountable. Our vote is not just worth five minutes, but indeed five years. Five years to hold those whom we elect accountable to serve the basic needs of the community.

The past few months we have seen various service delivery protests across the country. Just like no person is perfect, so is no party and each hold their own battles Racism, quotas in sport, corruption, a private jet, spy tapes and many other issues are important. What we sometimes forget is to put realistic solutions on the table on issues affecting the everyday lives of especially the poor.

While we worry about a new presidential jet or a racist post on social media, there is a grandma taking care of her 5 grandchildren wondering where will she get tomorrow’s supper. While discuss quotas in sport, the parents of a talented young sport player don’t have the funds to provide him with clothes to practice in.

Yes this election is like all previous and those to come important. 

This election is an opportunity the voter can vote for their needs and who will make a real change in their lives. This local government election is an opportunity for the voter to vote based on your needs, to vote for who can make a change in your life and not just on paper or a poster.

When I walk into the VD and hold my ballot paper, standing alone, I will hold my breath and think that no matter how imperfect our democratic process might or might not be it is still a privilege to vote. A privilege my great-grandparents never had the opportunity to enjoy.

Yes Zuma, Maimane, Malema, Lekota, Prince Buthulezi, Zanele, Godi and the Mulders will come to mind, as will local leaders. But I will also think of Madiba, Oliver, Walter, Albertina, Helen, Frederick, Dullah, Kader, Ashley and the many others who had to pay a prize for me to enjoy this responsibility.

I will take a moment and think of the many challenges in my community and who can address it best.

I will think of human rights, freedom of expression, speech, the press and association. I will think of the rights of minorities, celebrating ethnic diversity and a dream of social cohesion. I will think of poverty, social challenges like drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, HIV, youth unemployment and even the stigma against my LGBTI (gay) friends.

I will also think of peace and hope that you too will use your vote wisely.

Enjoy the responsibility to vote. Vote with pride and walk out of the polling station knowing that you did the right thing.

It is all about the cross!

Original Opinion Piece appeared in Paarl Post of Thursday 28 July 2016

South Africa: Inspiring new ways

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our country’s democracy. But it is not just another anniversary, it is our 21^st anniversary. Of all the birthday’s the 21st is probably the most significant and as a person the 21 holds many meanings.

Our country has grown a lot and we have matured. We showed the world that we can indeed compete against the big boys and girls and we can stand bold on the podium with our gold medals, lift our winning trophy’s and host successful tournaments. Indeed South Africa: Inspiring new ways…

Normally the 21 is a symbol of adulthood and having matured, and what an ironic moment for our country following xenophobic attacks the past few days. Commemorating the 21^st anniversary of our democracy is an ideal opportunity to show our maturity, unite Africa and say #NoToXenophobia!

With our multi-ethnic society we are the 25th-largest country in the world by land area, and with close to 53 million people, we the world's 25th-most populous nation. Our beloved country is one of a few in Africa never to have had a coup d'état, with regular elections.

South Africa was the fifth country, the first (and only, as of January 2015) in Africa, the first in the southern hemisphere, the first republic, and the second outside Europe to legalise same-sex marriage.

Yes we have our challenges, and we not the perfect nation but South Africa’s pride is the motto in our Coat of Arms: Unity in Diversity.

Happy Birthday South Africa!

• Today also marks 15 years since the current Coat of Arms of South Africa was introduced: ǃke e: ǀxarra ǁke meaning "Diverse People Unite"