In an effort to curb violence and destruction of state and private property during service delivery protests, Buffalo City Metro (BCM) has launched a series of civic education programmes.
BCM chief whip for traditional affairs Stanley Makinana said people were “thirsty” for programmes to instruct ordinary citizens on democratic institutions, values, tolerance and procedures.
“We live in where our people burn a community hall because they are demanding tarred roads, burn schools because they want houses,” he said.
“Maybe if this programme was launched in 1994 when South Africa was liberated there would have been less violent service delivery protests in our communities.”
BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi said that according to a report on various government spheres, local government appeared to be the most dysfunctional.
“The problem was that when we were liberated we ignored civic society and assumed people would know what to do,” said Mtsi.
The new programmes aim to educate residents on issues such as social and political rights, problem-solving, combating election violence, tolerance of others and the peaceful resolution of political disputes in post-conflict settings.
BCM deputy mayor Xola Pakati said citizens had ceased to be active. “Instead they have become over-reliant on government handouts.”
Pakati was referring to demands for houses, food parcels and child grants from the government.
The launch of the programme earlier this week was attended by councillors, youth structures, non-profit organisations, traditional leaders and representatives from the Independent Electoral Commission.
Other civic initiatives will look at illegal electricity connections and the various aid programmes available, and provide information on municipal bylaws and water management.
BCM launches programmes to temper violence during protests
BCM chief whip for traditional affairs Stanley Makinana said people were “thirsty” for programmes to instruct ordinary citizens on democratic institutions, values, tolerance and procedures.
“We live in where our people burn a community hall because they are demanding tarred roads, burn schools because they want houses,” he said.
“Maybe if this programme was launched in 1994 when South Africa was liberated there would have been less violent service delivery protests in our communities.”
BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi said that according to a report on various government spheres, local government appeared to be the most dysfunctional.
“The problem was that when we were liberated we ignored civic society and assumed people would know what to do,” said Mtsi.
The new programmes aim to educate residents on issues such as social and political rights, problem-solving, combating election violence, tolerance of others and the peaceful resolution of political disputes in post-conflict settings.
BCM deputy mayor Xola Pakati said citizens had ceased to be active. “Instead they have become over-reliant on government handouts.”
Pakati was referring to demands for houses, food parcels and child grants from the government.
The launch of the programme earlier this week was attended by councillors, youth structures, non-profit organisations, traditional leaders and representatives from the Independent Electoral Commission.
Other civic initiatives will look at illegal electricity connections and the various aid programmes available, and provide information on municipal bylaws and water management.
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