The Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics (MARRC) has developed a community manifesto that outlines priorities for service delivery, standards for councillors, and accountability measures. The group aims to hold councillors accountable for service delivery failures after the elections. According to MARRC CEO Anthony Waldhausen, the manifesto was created after a community dialogue with members from various wards.
The community manifesto focuses on five key priorities identified by residents, including water supply, housing, roads, safety, and waste collection. It also sets out standards for councillors, such as where they should live, how they should communicate, and the skills and attitude they should bring to the role. Additionally, the manifesto outlines accountability measures, including the frequency of public meetings and progress reports.
MARRC is inviting all candidate councillors to participate in a public forum and sign the community manifesto. The group has created public spaces to address local government issues and has experience organizing public meetings from previous elections. Waldhausen stated that 36 political parties are participating in the local government election in Msunduzi, and the group is only inviting ward candidates as independent representatives.
Public forum meetings will be held in various wards, starting with Ward 41 on October 17, followed by meetings in Ward 33 on October 24, and Ward 32 on October 31. The agenda includes a presentation by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on the voting process and other election information. These meetings aim to provide a platform for community members to engage with political parties and make informed decisions.
Waldhausen explained that MARRC is part of a collective of organizations from three provinces piloting community dialogues and developing community manifestos that deal with ward-based priorities. The initiative aims to give community members the power to hold councillors accountable post-elections and strengthen democracy. This approach encourages community participation and takes into consideration the issues faced in the wards.
The public forums will provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions and get information from political parties on their stance on local issues. MARRC believes that this process will assist community members in making informed decisions on who to vote for. By involving the community in the development of political manifestos, the group hopes to promote a more inclusive and responsive approach to governance.
MARRC's initiative is seen as a unique process that promotes community participation and accountability in local government. By signing the community manifesto, councillors will be committing to prioritize the needs of their constituents and be held accountable for their actions. The group's efforts aim to promote a more transparent and responsive local government system in South Africa.
Key points
- - The Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics has developed a community manifesto that outlines priorities for service delivery, standards for councillors, and accountability measures. - The group is inviting all candidate councillors to participate in a public forum and sign the community manifesto. - Public forum meetings will be held in various wards to provide a platform for community members to engage with political parties and make informed decisions.
