The debate continues
It is very rich and disappointing, for DA MP Andrew Whitfield, to describe Lena May as a “greedy political careerist” ( Grocott's Mail, July 1).
As a parliamentarian, Whitfield is himself a political careerist and ought to know greed when he sees it.
Whitfield must know that May lives in one of the most neglected and disadvantaged areas of Grahamstown, Scott’s Farm, and that her living circumstances are no better than the average Scott’s Farm resident.
He must also know, as I do from my time in the DA, that Lena gave all her energy to doing what she could as the Ward Councillor for the bet- terment of her community – hardly a priority for the ruling ANC.
However the DA justifies its shabby treatment of May, it cannot claim that she lacked commitment to her councillor duties.
If she did, why was action not taken against her in accordance with the DA’s widely publicised undertaking to its electorate that it will not countenance under-per- forming councillors and why have other under-performing councillors been kept as DA candidates?
The truth is that the DA has decided that it can safely do without the Recreation Hall vote because of the inclusion of Graeme College in the ward along with St Aidan’s, thereby snubbing the voters who Lena May served so avidly, and Lena May herself.
Whitfield also suggests that by now standing against the DA as an independent candidate, May is playing into the hands of the ANC.
The criticism is no doubt also aimed against me as an independent candidate in Ward 8.
The comment is nothing less than the old tactic of “swartgevaar” which is aimed at creating a laager mentality amongst voters.
In fact, as the results of previous elections show, the ANC is not a factor in either Wards 4 and 8 and voters need have no fear of the seats falling to the ANC.
Independent candidates are also standing in “safe” ANC seats where the DA stands no chance and their main impact is therefore to free up political space.
The emergence of independent candidates therefore promotes democracy and is something the DA ought to welcome and not decry when it affects them.