Give Danny a chance to fix the metro
THE election of Danny Jordan as the new mayor of the beleaguered Nelson Mandela Bay Metro should be applauded by all those seeking stability and progress in service delivery.
I have known Jordaan and his younger brother, Andrew, since my childhood years. Both were the late Khaya Majola’s best sporting and family friends as they also grew up in the dusty streets of New Brighton.
These personalities excelled in both rugby (at Spring Rose) and cricket under the auspices of the New Brighton Cricket Club. Max, the other brother, later joined them in advancing the principle of non-racial sport in New Brighton and Uitenhage’s so-called black and coloured areas.
Andrew Jordaan became bullish towards stiff opposition in his approach and staunch beliefs in advancing and advocating the call for a non-racial society through sport and politics. The infamous slogan of “no normal sport in an abnormal society” practically gained momentum through the entire Eastern Cape province and beyond.
Opposition emerged from all corners of society and diverse communities with huge support from the brutal police force and the notorious special branch. I firmly stand by my conviction that Danny and Andrew Jordaan were truly inseparable in their struggle for a non-racial and just society, and thus have never been sell-outs.
They are both tried and tested sons of the soil used by the then underground movement in hiding and transporting students and politicians to avoid severe harassment and detention by the special branch. The enlightened background is testimony that Danny Jordaan is not a novice in politics and commands an immense contribution in its broader context.
His sport administration prowess has its foundation in New Brighton under the guidance of the likes of the late Oom Dan Qeqe and Tata Dlangi Siwisa, Makhenkesi Stofile’s father-in-law who was a teacher at Kwazakhele High School and also an underground PAC supporter who groomed the likes of Saki Macozoma, Tozamile Botha, Bhuti Silas Nkanunu and Feya Sobikwa. Their sound advice with Jordaan’s unparalleled negotiation, management and conflict resolution skills well-honed, nurtured and fully structured makes him the ideal candidate for the mayoral position.
To some of those comrades who might not have known his political and sporting background properly, it is my humble and earnest plea for my fellow ANC members to give him, Bicks Ndoni and Litho Suka a chance to work tirelessly towards putting the metro on a sound footing.
They were not part of any faction that led to the unfortunate demise of our beloved metro.
This move augurs well for the future of service delivery and better growth opportunities that will benefit the future generation and the sound preservation of the Nelson Mandela legacy.