In the run up to the local elections we see many political outreach programmes to citizens of South Africa.
Some Mayors – here’s looking at you Babalwa – will attend the opening of an envelope if it serves their political agenda.
Our social media newsfeeds are littered with these events – truth be told a few posts around actual work like potholes, water leak repairs etc. also make it to our feeds but to a lesser degree.
As a country we should push for legislation that curbs ANY political outreach, puff piece celebration for a full two years before any local election – maybe that way we will force our political heads to do what they are supposed to do: Keep the lights on, the water running, roads maintained etc.
Not only are these events transparently smoke and mirrors but they could also fall into the category of wasteful expenditure.
Just today Social Media was aghast at our Electricity Department’s Mandela Day Outreach event:
In the spirit of Madiba, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Electricity and Energy Directorate brought warmth and care to the elderly residents of eKuphumleni Old Age Home in Zwide on Friday, 18 July 2025.
Eighty senior citizens were treated to a hearty meal and soothing massages, generously provided by staff members of the directorate.
One amateur comedian commented; “I also have some elderly open conductors outside my home needing some bare handed massage by these employees!”
It is almost laughable to think that our Electricity Department which is in deep financial dwang finds the time to spend money on massages and meals when soon the employees of that department may be needing the same!
How is it possible that the head of our Municipality can allow employees of an ailing department the freedom to spend money on anything else other than service delivery?
Goodness gracious man – if we do not have food at home we do not feed the hungry!
Let’s not throw good money after bad, let’s get the departments up and running and profitable AND THEN there will be more money available to massage and, more importantly, feed people!
Even if the staff provided the meals and massages out of their own pockets, they still missed work.
Which brings me to another question; “Who do our politicians ask for permission to get time off to attend their own political puff piece events?” Do they put in leave forms? Do they attend in their own vehicles? Somehow I doubt that!
