ELECTED OFFICIALS MUST BE VISIBLE, PRE AND POST POLLS

THE fast-approaching local government elections again bring into sharp focus the role of councillors.

Far too often, councillors are elected and remain aloof to their constituents until another round of elections is necessary.

This does not apply to all councillors, but certainly there are many who see their role as a stepping stone into other spheres of leadership.

And, sadly, service delivery and the very notion of local government suffer from the perspective of those who need councillors to represent them at a municipal level.

Councillors are responsible both to their electorate and also to the municipal council.

There are councillors who are responsive to residents in their ward, but do not make good decisions in the council.

Some councillors are good leaders at municipal level but are inaccessible to residents in their wards.

The ideal councillor promotes good governance with other traits like communication, accessibility, integrity and accountability.

President Cyril Ramaphosa raised these issues in his weekly newsletter last month. “... what struck me most was the importance of local government being accessible, visible and above all, reachable.

“This is particularly important when service delivery challenges, disruptions, or failures occur.

“Citizens often complain that in the lead-up to elections, ward councillors, candidates and officials are energetic, interacting with communities and listening to their concerns.

“However, once elections have passed, they either disappear or it becomes difficult to reach them.”

There are often service delivery protests when councillors are inaccessible to their constituency. Problems also arise when councillors are guided by officials, as opposed to the views and concerns of residents.

If the disconnect between councillors and residents continues then the local government system is failing.

Elected officials must not become invisible once elections are over.