Reflection of state of Bay

ON Sunday I was invited to the Feather Market Centre for the mayoral debate. The public broadcaster had its truck parked outside and the stage was set for what was to be a very vibrant debate around the state of NMB.

The debate was scheduled to start at 3pm, and the DA and the UDM had already taken up their seats by then. Setup and final checks were concluded by 3.15pm.

We waited till just before 4pm when the ANC Women’s League arrived in jubilant cheer and moved to the available seats which were behind the DA and the UDM. One of its members, unhappy with where the ANC was seated, inquired about the seating arrangements as the DA and the UDM had occupied half of the auditorium.

Both parties broke out into song, the one trying to upstage the other. The ANC members then started chanting and singing, and danced towards the front of the auditorium, where the DA was sitting.

They then demanded that the DA and UDM move to accommodate them in some of the seats in the front. The TV host, a Mr Mvoko, bucking under the pressure from the ANC members’ demands, asked the DA and UDM whether they would move and was greeted with an emphatic no!

The ANC members then forced their way onto the stage, removed some of the chairs and forced themselves onto the vacant seats in between DA members. Some of the ANC councillors also sat on the stage and refused to move unless their demands were met.

Watching all this unfold somehow painted a clear picture of where we are as a city. Under the current leadership, NMB is in complete disarray.

Arriving nearly an hour late and then wanting to dictate the proceedings showed the lack of respect the ANC had for the event. Sadly though, the taping of the show was called off due to the chaotic scenes that played out and was clearly indicative of the arrogant attitude the ANC projected with its members’ refusal to allow the proceedings to continue.

Next year will definitely be the turning point for NMB.

Selwyn Willis, Port Elizabeth