Tweak in process for ward councillors

WHILE Azmeera Nazir ( Daily News, August 31) makes a valid point about the criteria that should apply in the nomination of ward councillor candidates, the nomination process needs to differentiate between those who stand to be directly elected as ward councillors and those indirectly elected as PR (proportional representation) councillors.

Ward councillors are the only representatives who, by name, are directly elected. As such, they have an accessible, visible, contactable profile.

They constitute the front line for all manner of complaints and advice from voters, unlike PR councillors and MPs who are neither subject to voter scrutiny nor accountable directly to voters.

Therefore, as Nazir stated, merit and a record of community residence and involvement should be the sine qua non for nomination as a ward candidate. To nominate novices as ward councillors, besides being unfair to them as individuals, also constitutes a disservice to ward communities because of their inexperience. That, in turn, will not accrue to the benefit of the political party such novices represent.

Yet, the DA has done exactly that in wards across eThekwini, preferring political expediency in some cases, like Ward 23, while exhibiting indifference to merit and experience in others. Such nominations reflect an arrogance that takes voter support for granted and is indicative of the disconnect between grass roots community needs and feelings and party political hierarchy – a kind of miniscale state capture.

In addition to accommodating those with specialist knowledge, party PR lists should be the place for novice candidates. There they can be deployed as shadow ward councillors to gain experience to earn their stripes and become eligible for nomination as ward councillors at subsequent elections.

Given the exposed and vulnerable profile of ward councillors, there can be no substitute for merit in their selection as candidates. DR DUNCAN DU BOIS

Bluff