Let’s get Durban running like clockwork

DURBAN is a crown jewel in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and Africa. It is a thriving and bustling port city and a gateway to many parts of the world. I am a proud Durbanite but sadly, in some instances, we are seriously wanting.

This letter is to the political and non-political leadership in the city. Please up your game. Take the necessary meaningful actions and decisions and make Durban a renowned international city and tourist hot spot. Put Durban and its people foremost and set aside petty bickering and political differences.

All too often we hear of achievements and gloating about the city. The negatives are either forgotten (selective amnesia) or glossed over (sugar coating).

Basic and minor issues must be attended to speedily, such as faulty street lighting, defective parking meters, potholes, overgrowth, illegal trading, littering and delays in the weekly collection of household refuse.

In tandem, major issues must be addressed with the requisite boldness and wisdom and in consultation with the relevant parties. Thus policy, contentious, critical and crucial decisions have to be made with wisdom and discernment.

The Integrated Development Plan, incorporating the budget, is the most important municipal issue.

In addition, the upliftment and improvement of the lives mainly of the less fortunate and underprivileged must feature prominently.

Dear leadership, if you are serious about combating crime, fraud, corruption and other misdemeanours and exercising consequence management, I challenge you to stop exercising double standards and making dubious decisions.

Secondly, you should carry out a comprehensive investigation into the fraudulent occupation and ownership of low-cost housing (RDP) stock by corrupt city councillors and officials. Their detestable and shameful actions have deprived deserving persons and their desperate families of homes.

Having worked and been closely associated with mayors, city managers, deputies, speakers, chief whips and directors-general in provincial and national government, I know firsthand what I am asserting.

Please appoint a new deputy mayor. Why the delay? Is Belinda Scott irreplaceable? Is Diana Hoorzuk (a touted replacement) playing hard to get?

Also appoint a one of a kind and out-of-the-box thinking city manager. For the sake of the city and its people and associates, I pray that neither the erstwhile acting city manager (Sipho Cele) nor the current one (Musa Mbhele) are appointed to this coveted post. Both are, at best, tepid and mediocre.

Lastly, dear leadership and others in positions of power, never forget or ignore the facts that firstly you can fool some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time, and secondly in the land of the blind, the cock-eyed or one-eyed is king/queen.

May Durban, its people and associates prosper and be blessed.

SIMON TIMOTHY DEHAL

Verulam