Reckless politics is killing creative economy

THE political rumbling we are experiencing in Nelson Mandela Bay between the DA and the opposition is a great tragedy and signal of disaster which will lead us to a similar scenario to KwaZulu-Natal.

The level of political intolerance and thuggery is evident in public meetings and social networks, burying the legacy of our fallen heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives paving a route to a democratic South Africa which our “comrades” in leadership positions are spitting on.

I am an artist who invested a whole of my post-matric life trying to build a career in the arts or entertainment industry without having to migrate to places like Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, but to make my success here at home in Port Elizabeth, New Brighton.

Today, if I remember correctly, it’s been more than four months since the completion of the long-awaited Mendi Arts Centre, which has been my cry for many years. Last month, it was reported in The Herald that the centre will be opened and operate.

This has shocked me as I’m one of the applicants who heeded the call for job applications at the centre.

Since my submission, and the others who also submitted, we have never been contacted or updated on the results or the post-submission process.

We only heard from this newspaper that the municipality is intending to move in the Red Location Museum staff to the Mendi Arts Centre. It is a great disappointment, and smacks of arrogance, for the community of artists and the general public of New Brighton and other areas to be left in limbo like that, while they gave their time and resources to get all the required paperwork in the hope of getting a decent job.

There is proof and evidence that all these developments with regards to Mendi Arts Centre and the dilapidated Red Location Museum are the repercussions of the political scenario since the new administration. And this political point-scoring and grandstanding is equivalent to “poor people genocide”.

I’m neither pro-DA nor ANC or whatever other parties are involved in this rumbling, but I’m of the view that these leaders should bring up conscience when engaging in leadership platforms as they represent the poor masses whom they rely on in term of votes. The year 2019 is around the corner – our voices should reflect our votes today.

I appeal to the political leadership of NMB to be aware of the power of civil society and not be blinded by the support of their members and supporters. Let’s honour the year of Nelson Mandela – not our pockets and self-interests.

Mongezi Ncwadi, New Brighton