The differences in the circumstances of the rich on the one side of Heugh Road and that of the desperately poor on the other side is a testimony of the damage caused by the Apartheid government in areas such as Walmer said Executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile at the IDP Public Consultative meeting held at the Walmer Town Hall last night.
“We need to address these imbalances as a matter of urgency.
“We need to intervene as the local government to integrate the people and uplift those who have been marginalized. Through government programmes as announced by President Jacob Zuma and Minister of Finance Pravin Godham during the state of the nation address and the budget speech respectively, we will be committing 90% of our resources in favour of previously disadvantaged communities,” said Mayor Wayile.
This meeting, following others in Uitenhage and Veeplaas, was called to allow the municipal leadership to report the progress made by the municipality and the challenges that we face when delivering services to the people.
Nelson Mandela Bay resident Robert Moses expressed his worry at a recent break-in at the Walmer Clinic.
“Government needs to protect its properties,” he added.
Jimmy Gotyana said: “Walmer has been ignored. The suburb is in existence for more than 100 years and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality needs to preserve the history and heritage of Walmer Township”.
Monica Didi said: “We are staying in Transnet owned houses that do not have services. We need the municipality’s intervention between us and Transnet so that we can also have services like flush toilets in these houses”.
Bongani Kinana asked the political leadership when they will eradicate the bucket system.
“I was born with the bucket system more than 50 years ago; we still use the same system. When will we enjoy the same freedom other people are enjoying,” he asked.
Walmer Gqeberha township resident Robert Mose addressing the public participation meeting in Walmer. He called for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to guard government property 24 hours to avoid break-ins by thieves and vandals. “Our clinic has been broken into a number of times. We need the NMB to protect all these properties because when a break-in happens, we suffer as a community,” said Mose.
Walmer Gqeberha township resident Jimmy Gotyana called for the NMB to preserve and record the history of Walmer Gqeberha Township that is more than 100 years old.
“Here we have a township that is more than a century old, yet nothing is done to preserve its history and heritage,” said Gotyana.
A multi racial community of Walmer suburb and Walmer Gqeberha Township listened attentively at the IDP and Annual Report Public Participation meeting in Walmer Town Hall. Image: Supplied.
Editor’s Notes: A society that looks back in time to reason away present hardship stemming from that time is not a society creating a better life for all. Are you ready to stop playing the blame game and start making and taking part in the tough decisions that will result in a prosperous, caring and happy Port Elizabeth?
