STRAIGHT TALK
3 November 2023
Having borne the worst brunt of ANC failure during the July riots of 2021, KwaZulu-Natal looks set to rise from the ashes next year.
The remarkable turnaround happening in KZN’s uMngeni Municipality could be replicated province-wide, if KZN voters install a Multi-Party Charter government in 2024, as is looking increasingly likely.
uMngeni Municipality has quickly become a shining beacon of hope and success in this deeply troubled province. Its trajectory of progress began when the people of uMngeni elected KZN’s very first DA mayor in 2021 by a margin of just 46 votes, showing Springbok-style that every point counts.
uMngeni’s success is not due to one person or factor, but rather to consistent effort and commitment by a well-led group of diverse South Africans working together for the greater good.
On taking office, this youthful team led by DA Mayor Chris Pappas and DA Deputy Mayor Sandile Mnikathi rolled up their sleeves and got down to work cleaning up the streets, fixing infrastructure, and igniting the economy of this beautiful Midlands municipality.
Pothole by pothole, streetlight by streetlight, road by road.
In just two years, all uMngeni’s inherited debt has been paid off and it achieved an unqualified audit for 2022/23, by modernising the systems of the municipality to improve efficiency and limit corruption.
This financial health has enabled them to purchase R35 million of heavy equipment for fixing roads and managing waste, and to triple the budget for roads repairs from R11 million to R30 million. To make communities safer, they’ve opened a traffic office and vehicle pound, and purchased 6 new law enforcement vehicles.
They understand keenly that this is the consistent, concerted action required to build people’s confidence in the future, which in turn spurs the investment and job creation needed to grow dignity and improve lives.
Chris Pappas is also the DA’s Premier candidate for KZN. The DA is on a mission to rescue KZN by replicating our uMngeni approach province wide. Our “1+1=WIN” campaign is targeted at getting every single DA supporter to play their part, by persuading and assisting one unregistered person they know, to register and vote DA.
The DA and IFP in KZN signed a historic service delivery pact earlier this year, and we are the two largest parties in the Multi-Party Charter that has united eight political parties around a common vision and set of priorities for rescuing South Africa.
Please be part of the DA’s 1+1=WIN campaign in KZN by persuading and assisting one unregistered voter to register to vote DA. They can check their registration status or kickstart their registration process at www.check.da.org.za. Let’s make this a team effort and bring home the cup for KZN!
Yours sincerely
John Steenhuisen
DA leader
