Latest news with #Municipality
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
The Bitter Rivalry: MK Party vs EFF and its impact on black political unity
Tensions Rise Between MK Party and EFF: A Threat to South Africa's Political Unity Image: Picture: Supplied The escalating tension between the newly formed MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is casting a shadow over South Africa's already fragile political landscape where black parties have failed to unite. Once allies in the quest for black liberation, the two parties now find themselves embroiled in a bitter rivalry, political experts warn could undermine the leftist movement and deepen political fragmentation. At the heart of the discord is Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, who recently launched a scathing attack on the MK Party, questioning its relevance despite holding more parliamentary seats. Speaking at Ward 16 in Kwakwatsi, Koppies, ahead of the upcoming Ngwathe Local Municipality by-elections, Malema criticised the MK Party's influence "Leadership is not about numbers, but about superior logic." He added, 'There's this party called the MK Party. Yes, they have more seats, but they are stupid. You can't even hear what they say when they speak in Parliament. They have numbers for nothing.' Malema's comments highlighted the deepening rift rooted in political differences and personal rivalries that have spilled into the public domain. The MK Party, formed after the defunct Umkhonto we Sizwe (the armed wing of the ANC), initially collaborated with the EFF, even co-founding the Progressive Caucus in Parliament, however, relations soured following the departure of Floyd Shivambu, the EFF's former Deputy President, who now serves as the MK Party's Secretary-General. Shivambu, in a defiant tone, recently told the MK supporters, 'We're not begging for unity; we're demanding it. Our people want unity among black voters, and those who refuse are charlatans.' His remarks followed Malema's, highlighting the shift between the two parties. Analysts weigh in, stating that the rift is less about ideology than personal animosities and leadership struggles. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Independent Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said, 'What we see is a clash of personalities, not fundamental ideological differences.' He added that this undermines collaboration and weakens the prospects for a united front and that the rift would discourage voters from participating in political party activities. Seepe argued that the divide threatens to weaken the broader leftist movement in South Africa, which has long struggled to present a unified front against the dominant ANC. 'Voters are increasingly skeptical of fractured opposition,' said Dr Metji Makgoba, a political analyst from the University of Limpopo. 'If these parties continue to fight amongst themselves, it will only benefit the ANC's efforts to regain relevance, especially as the ANC itself appears leaderless and directionless. Makgoba argued that both the MK Party and the EFF are led by progressive figures who have, in various ways, committed themselves to advancing the interests of black people in South Africa. 'The ongoing tensions between the two formations are unfortunate, as they reflect a more profound and more troubling reality that the liberation of black people remains incomplete. 'The inability of major black political parties to find common ground on fundamental issues suggests that fragmentation continues to undermine the pursuit of a unified black agenda.' Makgoba argued that political parties are structured to pursue electoral dominance rather than consensus-building, and this dynamic frequently puts them at odds-even when their broader goals may align. 'As such, it is increasingly evident that traditional party politics may not be a sufficient or viable mechanism to consolidate and advance the socio-economic and political aspirations of the black majority.' He stated that this moment calls for a critical reflection on alternative modes of organizing and mobilising beyond the ballot box. Furthermore, he argued that building solidarities through civic movements, intellectual and cultural formations, labor unions, and grassroots activism may offer more sustainable pathways for articulating and realizing a transformative Black agenda that is not beholden to the short-term imperatives of electoral cycles but grounded in long-term structural change. Despite the rivalry, some analysts argued that unity among black political formations remains essential for meaningful socio-economic progress. Shivambu's call to unite voters rather than leaders hints at a strategic shift that could transcend party politics. Zakhele Ndlovu, a political science lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, warned that targeting the same voter base. 'Both the MK Party and the EFF are vying for the same electorate - disillusioned voters tired of ANC's decline and yearning for radical change.' He added that Shivambu, Malema, and MK party leader, former President Jacob Zuma, mistrust each other. 'The hostility between Malema and Shivambu, driven by personal issues and leadership mistrust, hampers any chance of cooperation,' Ndlovu explained. While the current tensions seem entrenched, experts agreed that a resolution hinges on leadership maturity and the recognition that external forces - be they foreign or domestic - stand to benefit from continued division. IOL Politics
CBC
23-05-2025
- General
- CBC
This town smells terrible. Can it be fixed?
Residents in New Minas and Kentville say they are fed up with the recurring pungent odours from the nearby sewage treatment plant. And they want the Municipality of the County of Kings to come up with a solution. The CBC's Meig Campbell reports.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'It's nauseating': Residents in Kentville, New Minas raising big stink about recurring sewage plant odour
Spring is in the air and so is a familiar stench in New Minas and Kentville. Some residents in the neighbouring Annapolis Valley communities are fed up with the recurring pungent odours from the regional sewage treatment plant in New Minas and say it's time for the Municipality of the County of Kings to come up with a solution once and for all. "It's nauseating, it's overwhelming. I'm sure it's not good for our physical health. And it's been going on for too long," said Sue Smiley, an avid cyclist whose outings frequently take her past the plant, which sits adjacent to the Harvest Moon Trail that connects several Valley communities. The regional treatment plant in New Minas is the municipality's largest, and services Kentville, New Minas, Coldbrook, Greenwich and several private industries. The smell comes and goes, residents say, but when it arrives, it makes outdoor activities unbearable. It is particularly troublesome in hot, humid weather. Dawn Noakes of New Minas, who owns a dog grooming business in Kentville, said she started smelling the odour about a year after she moved to the area. "In 2018, we noticed an outhouse type of odour. It went on for a few days and we didn't think much about it, but then it went on for a month," said Noakes. Seven years later, the smell persists. "We've settled in this subdivision and we love it there. Our neighbours are great. The properties are lovely. I love where I live, but I can't enjoy where I live," said Noakes, who created a Facebook group where residents have taken their complaints about the situation. Kristin Lohnes, a student at the Nova Scotia Community College in Kentville, is a member of the Facebook group. She describes the odour as being similar to rotting food. "It can get to a point where it's making people physically sick, myself included. We get headaches and nausea and it's not a good scene. And where I myself have asthma, it's been rough," said Lohnes. In a statement to CBC News, chief administrative officer Scott Conrad said the municipality is working with "outside experts" to determine the cause of the odour and resolve it as quickly as possible. The municipality has identified a problem that "appears to be a lack of oxygen in the first of five lagoons wastewater cycles through during the treatment process," the statement said. "The community is understandably asking for prompt action and long-term improvements, and the Municipality is determined to deliver." But Kentville resident Robyn Joys questioned whether the system is equipped to handle a slew of new housing developments. "They don't have the infrastructure in order to upkeep all the 200 more or so toilets that are flushing and they should have never been approved before they addressed the sewage system," said Joys. The municipality's website details a number of upgrades to the treatment plant amounting to $9 million in improvements since 2017. It's not enough for Noakes. "It's the same rhetoric. It's like this is what the problem is and this is what we've done, but we haven't resolved the problem yet," she said. The municipality posted another update after a recent council meeting. It said it is working with "engineering firms with experience in wastewater treatment" to get the odour at the plant "under control," and outlined short- and long-term solutions. But residents like Joys are still waiting for results. "It's been too many years where we've had this issue.… And I'm very tired of excuses and I just would like to stop smelling the stink," she said. MORE TOP STORIES
Eyewitness News
22-05-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
Water supply restored to Knysna
CAPE TOWN - Knysna's Municipality has confirmed that water supply has been restored to the town. It's been two weeks since failed water pumps caused the taps to run dry. During this time, residents were dependent on water tankers to deliver clean drinking water But the municipality said that reservoirs in the area had now recovered. Deputy mayor for Knysna, Morton Gericke, said that while the water may appear discoloured, samples tested remain fully compliant with the South African National Standards. "The joint operations centre (JOC) is pleased to report a notable improvement in our water infrastructure. System capacity is steadily stabilising, and targeted water carting efforts have successfully replenished key reservoirs. As a result, all areas should now have access to water." Gift of the Givers spokesperson in Knysna, Mario Ferreira, said that their teams had also since wrapped up their operations. "Due to the situation in Knysna at the moment, that looks so positive, we will be withdrawing tomorrow. We will be withdrawing from the area and go assist with our water tankers more into inland."
Sharjah 24
21-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SCM launches new edition of Internal Excellence Award
It also aims to enhance friendly competition among teams and staff, improving overall performance and providing high-quality services to the public. Employee Motivation Initiative His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director General of Sharjah City Municipality, confirmed the start of the new award edition for 2025. Since its launch nearly 20 years ago, the award has been an important initiative to motivate employees and encourage them to work towards the municipality's goal of delivering top services. Al Tunaiji stressed the importance of creating a happy workplace where positive competition thrives, fostering ongoing development, meeting expectations, and achieving goals. He encouraged all employees to participate, prepare their submissions for the appropriate categories, and strive for success, especially those who have not won in previous cycles. Positive Work Environment Al Tunaiji added that the award shows the Municipality's commitment to building a happy and positive work culture, where employees are encouraged to innovate and improve their performance. This helps develop and enhance services, providing an exceptional experience for the public. He noted that friendly competition in the workplace is crucial for the success of institutions and achieving their goals. Guidelines and Training Budoor Al Hammadi, Director of Institutional Development and Head of the Municipal Excellence Award Team, stated that the municipality has prepared a detailed guide outlining the award's categories and criteria. The team also held a workshop to introduce the latest updates and answer employee questions. She explained that the application and evaluation process follows specific requirements inspired by best practices from both the UAE and international standards for recognizing excellence. Culture of Excellence Al Hammadi confirmed that the award meets several objectives, including promoting a culture of excellence among departments and employees, adopting best practices, recognizing outstanding contributors, showcasing key projects, and preparing for local and international awards. It also supports innovation and creates a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and development.
