Mosa has a ‘small party’ edge
THE provincial leader of the Minorities of South Africa (Mosa), Narendh Ganesh, believes voters have become disillusioned with the “big parties”.
He said it was because these parties prioritised the growth and service of their political empires ahead of service delivery to ratepayers and residents.
“Besides, the communities have no choice in the candidates fielded by the major parties, who in many cases are simply party loyalists and yes-men whose reward is a ratepayer-funded salary as a councillor to work for the party,” said Ganesh.
Mosa, he added, was different: it was”deeply reliant on the integrity of its members” wanting to be true public servants and not to use the party as a stepping stone to higher ambitions.
Ganesh said they might be the new kid on the political block, but most of the candidates being put up by major political parties were also new and inexperienced.
“This suits the party bosses as they disdain candidates who can think out of the box and question acts or omissions…
“At Mosa we have the benefit of several veteran and experienced councillors as our candidates.
“They are on board because they want to be liberated from the political intrigue and manipulation that characterises the life inside big parties…
“We at Mosa believe in putting ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
“If we are to question the calibre of the unknown then we are equally compelled to question the calibre of those known councillors whose work, or lack thereof, leaves much to be desired.”
Asked if Mosa was an Indian party, championing the rights of Indian South Africans, Ganesh said: “While it has a foundation following among the Indian community, our manifesto clearly elucidates that we champion minority rights, irrespective of race or culture.
“What we stand for resonates with the white and coloured communities as well, if race is to be the object of contest.
Ganesh said the DLC, led by Patrick Pillay, and the MF, by Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, overtly courted the Indian vote.
“While Mosa has begun its journey and could well be perceived as equally culpable, the broader vision and mission of the party embraces every South African citizen.”
He said MOSA was a party of people and was not based on some autocratic ambition: “We are contesting 27 wards as a new party. That should tell a story.”
Naturally, they would love to win every ward contested, “But being both realistic and pragmatic, I would be extremely happy if we can secure 10 wards,” he said.
“I am encouraged by the great support we are receiving and hope this translates into viable votes that will allow us to serve the people of the municipality.”
Asked what Mosa could offer the electorate in terms of service delivery, dealing with unemployment, and job creation, Ganesh said no political party could create jobs by itself.
“The main function of public representatives is to identify community needs and to see to the establishment of projects in those areas.
“But above all, governing should be about establishing and regulating conditions which prove attractive to business entrepreneurs and investors.
“Mosa believes in a frugal approach to management of public funds and the restructuring of the municipal workforce. “Management has become top heavy at the expense of those who actually produce goods and services, (discouraging) investment, hence the lack of employment,” he said.
“We believe that the ocean economy of KZN is not being fruitfully utilised and this is something we hope to engage with vigorously.”
Ganesh asked why, with two viable ports, in Richards Bay and Durban, South Africa should import raw materials to be transported 800km for production purposes.
“We will actively encourage business partnerships with both the private and public sector to initiate and/ or develop production houses within the municipality to fast-track the creation of employment through such developments.
“Further, we intend to encourage the skilling of people in various fields of productive endeavour who may otherwise be denied such skills through lack of funding.”
He said this would be done in conjunction with stakeholders who could mutually benefit from such partnerships.
This, said Ganesh, would lead to more small- to mediumterm enterprises that could boost economic development.
Finally, when asked if MOSA had a future in KZN when the ANC, the DA and the IFP were strong in the province, he said: “Naturally, any form of political longevity or existence is directly linked to productive politicians who can deliver what is required. The future of Mosa, as with any party, would be proportional to how we satisfy the needs of the electorate.
“Multiparty democracy is the cornerstone of the new South Africa. Coalition politics is, therefore, very much part of the solution to effective governing. No single party can claim a monopoly of support, and it would be arrogant to propagate such a view in a country with such diverse demographic diversity.”
Ganesh said that ultimately, the success of Mosa would accrue from its record of service delivery and not from political stunts, exhibitionism, grandstanding and the pursuit of personal agendas.
“I am confident Mosa will enjoy success and create a niche for itself that will augur well for the future.”