Building bridges: overcoming divisions in Tongaat's communities
SIVA NAIDOO
SOUTH Africa's civil society is experiencing a crisis stemming from the blurring lines between civic engagement and partisan politics. Frustration over inadequate service delivery, persistent inequalities, and manipulative tactics by those in power exacerbate a community in distress.
As a former activist in Tongaat it was easier to organise progressive values within the confines of the former group areas. Our ratepayer organisations were of same race and primarily the same class. Tongaat is well recognised for its dynamic resistance politics.
In the new dispensation, Tongaat have two dominant racial groupings which are Indian and African.
Indians once made up 80% of the Tongaat population and this percentage has now reduced to 50% represented by 90% middle class people. The African population in Tongaat make up the other 50 % and are represented by 90 % of poor citizens.
The core issue in Tongaat is that the civic movement is still organising itself like it did under apartheid. Marginalisation of communities are two-fold. The municipality is in dysfunction with inept and uncaring employees. The second issue is the failure of civil society to mobilise all its residents.
The current state of civil society is characterised by divisions, with organisations frequently aligning themselves with political parties.
Middle-class communities focus on immediate service delivery, and gravitate towards the Democratic Alliance (DA). Conversely, poorer communities align with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) or other black-led parties, prioritising developmental needs over service delivery concerns.
When organisations are perceived as overtly partisan, their ability to function as independent monitors are undermined.
This fractured approach undermines the credibility of civil society in the segment of the community it does not represent. Both segments accuse each other of insensitivity and racism
The fragmentation also facilitates the manipulation of public anger by unscrupulous leaders who exploit pre-existing social and economic divisions, cultivating further mistrust and resentment among different groups.
By emphasising conflict between advocates of service delivery and new development, they prevent the formation of a united front.
This inadvertently develops a tactic by municipal leaders to divert attention from its own failures.
The neglect of ratepayers who fund services, the disproportionate allocation of municipal budgets towards development without corresponding rates collection, and the pervasive corruption - contribute to this crisis. The neglect of ratepayers breeds resentment and distrust among both contributors and non-contributors alike. Corruption erodes trust in all forms of governance, creating alienation and hopelessness.
The failure of civil society to overcome these divisions has created a self-perpetuating cycle resulting in a polarised citizenry who are frustrated and emotionally exhausted. This is the fundamental reason why people no longer engage with the political system.
Building bridges between different communities is paramount. This requires establishing platforms for dialogue, fostering mutual understanding, and identifying shared goals. Initiatives focusing on collaborative problem-solving, facilitated by neutral third-party organisations, can help overcome ingrained prejudices in order to embrace a shared destiny.
Supporting organisations that maintain independence from political parties are vital. These organisations can act as impartial monitors, providing credible information to citizens and holding those in power accountable.
Addressing the needs of all citizens requires a holistic approach of integrating service delivery with development. A fundamental re-evaluation of municipal budgetary priorities is required.
Greater transparency in municipal budgeting and resource allocation is essential for fostering trust. Mechanisms for participation in budget processes should be strengthened. This could involve implementing participatory budgeting models. Citizens must participate in the constitutional formation of ward committees.
Current ward committees have become a rubber stamp for the councillors. Ward councillors are often complicit. They cannot ignore the legal imperative imposed on them by the law to uphold the constitution of the country as the third tier of government.
Ward committees require citizens, possibly retired engineers and professionals, to engage with the Integrated Development Plans (IDP) which establishes how a municipality will spend its money for the new year.
Investing in civic education programs empowers citizens to engage effectively with the political system, to understand their rights, and hold elected officials accountable. Our fundamental goal is to deepen democracy by educating our citizens about their constitutional rights and ensuring that the constitution is a base for inclusivity and not division.
I recall the days of resistance politics as a time of cohesive action against a common enemy.
Our leaders had the right balance of anger, strategy and tactics directed at implementing change. Our biggest current challenge as civil society is to develop and train young leaders that are committed to outcomes that ensure development and a high standard of service delivery in every ward of our country.
In this context it is time to consider the formation of a umbrella body within different regions or towns that unite all groupings in the form of a progressive alliance. Every grouping must represent the diverse community needs and it could very well represent a community coalition of varying and even conflicting needs. This umbrella body will be tasked to see the bigger picture in terms of realising fundamental and inclusive change.
As I conclude this piece, I have received a media statement announcing that three organisations in Tongaat have decided to create a mutual platform to discuss a response to the challenges faced by its diverse communities.
The Tongaat Ratepayers Association, the Tongaat Civic Association and the Tongaat Peoples Movement have forged a new partnership to serve the interest of the citizens of Tongaat.
Building this cohesive partnership presupposes the integrity of the community leadership that must earn the trust of people by engaging all stakeholders, including those representing African communities, to ensure sustainable and lasting solutions.
May this initiative be blessed with inclusivity, respect for diversity, and the creativity to find a just and resolute vision to build a Tongaat that refuses to bow down to an ineffective eThekwini Municipality in the same way that it did not bow down to the former apartheid government.
Siva Naidoo is a trainer in Ubuntu and Human Values and a former president of the Tongaat Civic Assiciation. He lives in Sandton. He can be reached on sivanaidoo247@gmail.com
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.