Newcastle is home to scores of families, each person carrying about a certain degree of town pride. But should we really be proud of our town?
Ratings Afrika has published its latest Municipal Financial Sustainability Index, which reveals the best and worst municipalities in South Africa.
The report assesses the financial positions of the 100 largest municipalities in the country, rating their respective financial performance in the latest financial year. This comes days after Parliament showed 10 municipalities owed Eskom almost R10 billion.
Furthermore, the report reflects the operating performance, liability management, budget practices and liquidity position of each municipality and scores them out of 100. This index shows that all is not well in South Africa’s biggest municipalities. This is blamed on poor budget planning and virtually no financial discipline.
Where does Newcastle stand?
Hold onto your hats ladies and gentlemen, Newcastle scored 21 out of 100, making it the worst town in KwaZulu-Natal, while Greater Kokstad is the best performing town in KZN, scoring 76 points out of 100.
“We as the DA have been complaining for some time, giving them solutions. But as the opposition, we are not always listened to. Now the ANC can see it is not just the opposition who sees that there is a major problem, but an outside company too,” says Democratic Alliance Cllr Bertie Meiring.
Cllr Meiring says it is because of poor planning that the DA didn’t approve the draft budget. “Not enough is being spent on maintenance. There needs to be serious changes within the running of the municipality,” he emphasised.
However, Newcastle Mayor, Makhosini Nkosi said the municipality was still doing its utmost to provide for the Newcastle community. “We are still trying to provide services, but we don’t have reserves at the moment.”
A healthy municipality has financial reserves to rely on during difficult economic times. “At the moment we are living from hand to mouth,” says Cllr Nkosi. But, he explains the municipality is working on establishing a reserve and getting Newcastle to what it once was.
“It will take a bit of time and we are looking at between five to six years,” he said.
Maybe, curbing the spend on ridiculous wants and lavish things would be the first point to address. Motor vehicles and outlandish non-return expenses such as the insanely wasteful “community events” paid for by our Municipality, should be first on the list to go.
The time for excuses and promises are over. The time to stand up for ALL colour, creeds and people whom call Newcastle Home has arrived. Our beautiful city is bleeding out at the hands of misuse, inexperience and corruption on a biblical level. As Newcastillians it is your duty to take this serious and not accept this kind of one sided nonsense. Our Municipality is for the people and not the other way round.
What are your thoughts on Newcastle being deemed as the worst municipality in KZN? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
