DA ready to bring much-needed change to DBNLM

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Democratic Alliance Cllr Ewald Loock, the DA mayoral candidate in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality (DBNLM), engaged with members of the public in Graaff-Reinet and Nieu-Bethesda yesterday, Wednesday 27 October.

In the party's final push to the campaign efforts in the DBNLM, he answered questions from concerned voters. He was accompanied by the DA member of Parliamant, Samantha Graham-Maré.

Loock said the DA’s priorities are to make this municipality financially viable again, to ensure that high-quality and affordable basic services are delivered, and investment and job opportunities are returned to this beautiful part of the Eastern Cape.

"It's time for change and action and only a DA majority government can bring that to the DBNLM,” he said. "As a result of the inept governance of the ANC, the DBNM is in financial ruin, basic service delivery is not up to standard and comes at a massive cost to residents, and unemployment is rampant."

Loock said drastic action is needed to rectify the situation.

"Firstly, we will have to implement a financial turnaround plan. A financially viable municipality will be beneficial to all residents and will ensure the excellent service delivery that the people of Dr Beyers Naude so richly deserve.

"Secondly, we will have to restore the towns of the municipality to their former glory and return their identities. The process of centralisation implemented by the ANC has turned these towns into "sidings" and has robbed residents of the pride they had in the place where they live. It is important that all residents should live in an environment that promotes their human dignity. Restoring these towns to their former beauty will assist in growing our tourism industry and in returning the status of these areas as beautiful Karoo towns."

Loock said it will also be of the utmost importance to bring discipline back into the municipality. "It's not going to happen overnight, but strict discipline is sadly lacking and that is one of the reasons why the DBNLM is in serious financial trouble."

"The DA can save the residents of the Dr Beyers Naude Municipality from the uncaring and inept ANC that is currently in charge."

Democratic Alliance Cllr Ewald Loock.