To some residents of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole, it might look as if the wheels are coming off and that there is no light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to service delivery, but Councillor Franay van de Linde from Ward 48 sees it differently.
“I do have hope, loads of hope. Situations will change. All wishing for stability need to stand together. Be strong to fight for the change you want to see,” said Councillor Van de Linde.
She gets philosophical about how the path of those who are corrupt, self-enriching, and who operate in a bureaucratic way will face doomsday and destroy themselves.
“The lack of competency, poor service delivery and all the other negative municipal issues that make headlines, are a process that we need to go through. It is hard, frustrating, even demoralising, but it must come to an end. The law-abiding need to persevere, need to keep on focusing on why we are here, what our purpose is, and to make it happen.”
Speaking out of experience, of once also having had to bear the unbearable burden of being unemployed, she emphasized her calling to help change what is needed in communities to bring hope.
“Many decades ago, during the old regime, as an unemployed person concerned not only about my own future, but also those of others in the same situation in my community, I joined a housing committee. The experience I gained from this and the then councillor in Rosedale, Mr McCabe, as well as the late Robin Williams, sparked my calling also one day to be a worthy ward councillor.
“To me it is about a community. Not race. Not whether you voted or not, nor what political party you belong to. We all deserve better services. And that is what we at Ward 48 office stand for.”
Serving in a ward that covers most of Kariega’s oldest infrastructure is challenging.
“The town is 218 years old. The infrastructure might not be that old, but unfortunately most parts of this ward in the centre of town have the oldest water and electrical infrastructure. Thus, the constant water leakages, burst pipes, sewer, and electrical issues.
“But, thanks to good cooperation with the relevant departments, we are slowly heading in the right direction.”
According to Van de Linde, the biggest change that she would like to see is that more capable persons would be employed in crucial infrastructure departments to speed up service delivery in Kariega.
Van de Linde said her late father told her to “finish whatever you start”, and that she took to heart.
“I am here to help residents of Kariega. That is what I want to do in my tenure of five years. To finish what I’ve started, helping to speed-up service delivery,” said Van de Linde.
She wishes to thank her office personnel Margaret Nelson and George Potgieter, with whom she said she could tackle an army. “They are reliable, capable, hardworking, and their support and camaraderie add to my strength. Together we are here to help our communities.”
- Franay van de Linde’s office is at 18 Chase Street, Kariega and for more information contact 082 303 7358.
