Cala ratepayers get active
RATEPAYERS in Cala in Sakhisizwe local municipality in the Chris Hani district have decided to form a ratepayers’ organisation.
The structure’s major aim is to be an advisory body to the council with the purpose of fast-tracking service delivery. The association will also interact with other ratepayers’ associations provincially, nationally and internationally.
It is important to emphasise that this structure is not aligned to any political party.
The new local council is to be applauded for its positive and cooperative attitude towards this development. The council has indicated that it believes a structure of this nature will create cordial and sound relationships between the stakeholders. The former council denied the local community the chance and the right to form such a structure.
This follows ratepayers of Cala converging on the town hall on October 10 and resolving to formulate a structure after several engagements and meetings with the local community.
The attendance of the community at the meeting showed their huge interest in their own local affairs.
On November 16 a new executive committee was elected.
At the helm is myself, Edgar Mkhokeli Madikwa, a retired school principal. I am not new to local affairs, but a former mayor from the old Cala municipality.
A particularly encouraging feature of this structure was the decision to include some members of the community as honorary members of the executive committee because of their expertise, skill and vast experience in administration. These members have no voting rights or powers in the executive committee.
People like HM Tsengiwe, CH Gladile, LFN Mokhou, former PAC leader in the Eastern Cape, Zingisa Mkabile, T Shenxane and B Vilana were earmarked.
The new executive committee is composed of myself as chair, Nomawethu Gabazana as secretary and other members have their respective portfolios.
Ratepayers may join by paying a subscription fee of R240 per annum. Memberships forms are available. The e-mail address is
Anybody who has a negative attitude to the formation of this structure is narrow-minded and does not know the principles of democracy or understand the time and age we live in. – Edgar Mkhokeli Madikwa, via e-mail