Durban Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was frank about the daunting problems facing the city.
Durban - Whatever grandiose vision the central government has for the country, it falls to local government ‒ the municipalities ‒ to implement and deliver.
Failure at local level, common for various reasons at municipalities around the country, will nullify any plans the national government has for its people’s advancement.
In this regard ‒ and although I’m certain the opposition parties will disagree ‒ I was heartened by much of what I heard at a breakfast with the eThekwini leadership this week.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda outlined various projects the municipality is in the process of rolling out, indicating there is a vision at local level for the city’s betterment. He didn’t pretend it’s all sunny-side-up, highlighting the sabotage of water infrastructure by those wanting lucrative water tanker tenders.
I left the event with some questions answered. Like how it is possible for the city to be losing nearly 50% of the water it buys?
I happened to be seated at the same table as acting city manager Musa Mbhele, an amiable chap I was easily able to engage with, and to whom it falls to realise the council’s plans.
He was frank in assessing the enormity of the task of addressing the city’s various problems, rather than presenting a rosy picture.
This break from the past hopefully signals a move from the previous scandal-ridden administrations.
Although I’m not naive enough to believe we were given the full picture, I also left with some hope.
The Independent on Saturday