I WANT to address an issue that has now become a controversial one, with reference to the controversy about 20 people who were recently employed by the Municipality on a temporary basis.
This is a result of mischievous attempt by some elements in Mbekweni Township to paint our administration in a bad light with the public.
About three weeks ago a group of people marched to our municipal office in Paarl to voice their anger at what they perceive as deliberate effort of sidelining them when people are considered for jobs by our administration.
Although Drakenstein Municipality is one of the bigger local employers, we will never be capable of employing all our adult citizens.
Drakenstein has a population size that exceeds 200 000, while the Municipality has a physical capability of absorbing a staff that falls between 2000 and 2500.
Thus mathematically speaking Drakenstein Municipality now and in a foreseeable future will not be in a position to even absorb a tenth of its citizenry (20 000) in employment.
This expectation that we should provide employment to all our people is not only misplaced, but it is dangerous too.
When the crowd of protesters approached our building, one option we had was to disregard them and continue with our tasks. This stance would have made us seem arrogant and uncaring.
But because the administration I lead is a sympathetic and caring one, I without hesitation invited the group to come back again so that we could listen to and address their concerns.
In that meeting it was articulated by the group that their frustrations emanated from being continuously overlooked whenever people are called for interviews, especially in the general workers category.
It was established that a number of those who were part of the group were indeed part of the pool (and had been there for a while) that is regularly generated from the applications.
However some in that group had either never applied before or had only recently submitted their applications. The procedure the human resource section uses to select people for general work was clearly explained to the group.
But seeing that the action had resulted in a pressure cooker situation for the municipality, it was evident that ways to deflate the pressure had to be found.
It was agreed in the meeting that those who have been waiting for long period of time will be called in and be considered in the upcoming seasonal work and the others were encouraged to submit their application and wait their turn like everybody else.
The meeting was closed and everyone was happy including those who were still to apply.
If this is nepotism and corruption as echoed by some mischievous elements, then I need to have my head examined.
It is easy for some people to shout out these big words like ‘nepotism’ and ‘corruption’ without really understanding the workings of the Municipality.
When things do not go their way these people are ready to shout, insult and badmouth the officials.
In dispelling accusations of nepotism I am forced to give a personal example. I have a son who holds a degree in computer programming.
When he expressed interest in joining our municipality I advised him, with pain, against it. With his expertise he could have been an asset to our municipality, but fearing that it would be misread as nepotism, we had to let go that chance.
And God be good, he applied and was snatched by Telkom at first go. Now he holds a challenging and even better position than he would have had in our municipality.
People should appreciate the effort this administration is doing to provide, however little, relief for the stranglehold that unemployment has over our people.
The solution we provide may not be perfect and may not satisfy all the people, but it is an honest attempt to address the plight of unemployment and poverty in our midst.
Stay positive, Drakenstein.
Dr Sidima Kabanyane
Drakenstein Municipal Manager
