Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Dr Dennis Farrell of the Business Café at the beginning of August initiated a survey focusing on the 'State of Garden Route Cities and Towns'. The survey closed on Friday 25 August and this is the second feedback document in which Dr Farrell reports on the results. 

I echo Rassie Erasmus in saying “… I always believed that, in South Africa, if we use all our skills and backgrounds we will be unstoppable.” 

Applying this principal and by amongst others putting our differences , titles, public esteem, and power games aside, then together we will stop the decay. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman refers to being an unlabelled society.

According to the independent survey among residents of the Garden Route, Mossel Bay Municipality (although the lowest participation of the 4 cities, however consistent with the trends of the other) has been perceived as the most effective and efficient in political and administrative leadership and management.  

The survey involved a total of 980 respondents commenting on the service levels of George, Knysna, Bitou, Mossel Bay, Hessequa, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland municipalities. Residents of Hessequa had requested an extension to the survey to enable better participation in their municipal area and this has led to the addition of 140 participants. 

The latter will be reported on once the survey has closed.

Most Mossel Bay residents satisfied with governance

About 82% of the respondents regarded Mossel Bay’s municipal management as being to be generally the most ‘acceptable to exceeding expectations’, while 67% gave its political leadership the thumbs up.  

Knysna’s municipality was seen as being the least effective and efficient on both political and administrative leadership and management.

“Alderman Dirk Kotze, Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay has welcomed the news saying, “We believe in making a difference through partnerships. Our successes are built on partnerships underpinned by political and economic stability. I also always thank and highlight the role of our committed and competent staff. Stability maintained by efficient and reliable officials allow for sound long-term planning underpinned by financial discipline."

I trust that all the municipalities will use the outcome in collaboration with residents, associations, and business bodies to effect positive change.

Respondents overwhelmingly confirmed that current public participation processes were not working and suggested other mechanisms for meaningful engagement with residents and the broader community.

This is especially pertinent in the budgeting process, the Integrated Development Plan, the Spatial Development Framework, by-laws, and progress reports presented to Council. Better  transparency should be forthcoming in terms of cost containments, productivity improvements, efficiency, and effectiveness of resources because officials and councillors function as stewards to ratepayers and residents.

During a recent visit to George, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman of the Gift of the Givers said that South Africans  had abdicated responsibility of the country to the government.  “But the country does not belong to the government. It belongs to the 60 million people in South Africa. When we understand this,  we take back ownership of the country. The solutions lie in South Africans standing together,” said Dr Sooliman.

In Graph 2, about 40% of George participants indicated that their municipal rates account made up more than 16%  of their net salary. About 22% of Mossel Bay participants indicated a rates ratio of above 16% of their net salary. Mossel Bay features the lowest percentage ratio of net salary to municipal rates of the four towns. About 31% of Mossel Bay respondents indicated that they earn above R40 000 pm as opposed to Knysna at 41% and Plettenberg Bay at 68%.  Given the higher net income of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay respondents as compared to George and Mossel Bay, cashflow pressure of the latter could lead to higher default in municipal accounts, which could exacerbate decaying levels of service delivery.

Comparisons of the most salient features of the survey for George, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay:

About 40% of George participants indicated that their municipal rates account made up more than 16%  of their net salary.  About 22% of Mossel Bay participants indicated a rates ratio of above 16% of their net salary.  Mossel Bay features the lowest percentage ratio of net salary to municipal rates of the four towns. 

About 31% of Mossel Bay respondents indicated that they earn above R40 000 pm as opposed to Knysna at 41% and Plettenberg Bay at 68%.  Given the higher net income of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay respondents as compared to George and Mossel Bay, cashflow pressure of the latter could lead to higher default in municipal accounts, which could exacerbate decaying levels of service delivery.

About 82% of Knysna respondents, 65% of Plettenberg Bay, 42% of George and 38% of Mossel Bay cited administrative apathy. About 54% of Plettenberg Bay, 63% of Knysna, 44% of George and 28% of Mossel Bay respondents cited political apathy.

Municipal leaders can shy away from these survey results or go into denial. Alternatively, they can acknowledge and embrace the views of the residents. 

Residents on the other hand could revolt in several ways out of frustration but this could lead to further polarisation between officials, politicians and the citizenry.

“The people who participated in the survey are  passionate about the Garden Route and don’t want to experience further levels of decay. The way forward lies in building trust, respecting all viewpoints, and finding solution-driven ways to collaborate.

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