Bitou coalition partner’s shed light on their collaboration
The AUF and DA leadership hosted a media briefing at the Bitou council chambers on Monday, May 29, revealing more details about the newly established coalition.
The Bitou coalition partners are all about getting down to business and maintaining a responsive attitude, which means, it’s “out of the boardrooms and into the communities”.
“We are not here because it is fashionable or to be involved in boardroom talk shows. We need to go out into our communities and implement what we have promised,” said Active United Front (AUF) chairperson Lindinceba Nkentsha.
Leaders who attended the meeting were DA constituency head in Bitou and transport and public works MEC Donald Grant, DA Western Cape leader and human settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela and Bitou Mayor Peter Lobese.
Nkentsha pointed out that the new partnership was not based on ideology, but on delivering promises of improving the lives of the poorest in the Bitou community.
Madikizela added that therefore all decisions made would be based on the interests of local residents.
“This is the beginning of good things to come with the best interest of the town at heart,” Madikizela said.
He added that the AUF and the DA are equal partners in the coalition and that both parties are still an independent beyond the coalition.
Madikizela said that he believes the coalition would work as it is based on mutual trust, respect and common goals.
He added that the fundamentals of the agreement are a zero tolerance to corruption, and economic growth and service delivery that offers value for money for residents and redresses the imbalances of the past, and caring for the poorest Bitou communities.
“I’m confident that this will be a success,” he said.
Grant added that he was very grateful to the AUF for the coalition agreement after what he termed a difficult “courtship”.
“This will not be a one-month wonder deal, because the agreement is based on values, among others, being accountable and caring for the people of Bitou,” Grant said.
He added that he believed together the parties could create a climate to attract private investment and subsequently boost the local economy.
Lobese said one of the aims of the agreement was to be a “responsible government”.
“My parents taught me that to be responsible means to look after the money. To make sure there is a roof over your family’s head, that they are warm and their basic needs are met. Being a responsible government means, in the same way, looking after the public coffers,” Lobese said.