’Ons Baiza nie’ says Patriot Alliance

“Ons Baiza nie,” shouted Patriotic Alliance (PA) members at the end of their meeting in their green T-shirts.

This means, “we won’t be intimidated by anyone,” in order to help those in need, said the mayoral candidate for the PA, Marvin Sampson, 47.

The Patriotic Alliance spoke to the Plainsman on Saturday October 23, saying they’re ready “to bring change, to bring God back into the country, into schools and to let the voices of the people be heard”.

The Patriotic Alliance started in 2013 in Cape Town; it didn’t do as well in the 2016 local elections with just over 4 900 votes and one party seat.

They spread out to Johannesburg and other regions and the activism continued while building on the party’s message after the 2016 elections, said Mr Sampson.

Mr Sampson grew up in Mitchell’s Plain since he was 13, “I know what the people are facing here, I know what it means to come home to find a blue water meter in front of your home without permission. I’ve seen men and women die of drug abuse, I’ve experienced gangsterism, and I’ve been free of drug addiction for 12 years,” he said.

The choices you make today will determine the life you live tomorrow, he said. “Our city is rich in talent, culture and finances. If you compare the affluent areas with the Cape Flats it’s like comparing day and night. If we don’t change our vote we will sit with the same problem,” he said.

Heinz Park is one of the many areas that don't receive service delivery. “We are out in the field helping them the best way we can,” said Mr Sampson.

“Some of the main issues we are looking to tackle are bringing God back to schools, looking into the illegal foreigners and their documentation and the water meter and utility bills,” he said.

Ward 81 candidate (Portland and Rocklands areas) Shahied van Nelson, 44, was asked by his party to stand and he accepted the request. “I was humbled by the nomination,” he said.

There are many challenges in his ward such as drug abuse, police visibility and job creation as well as recognising talent in the community. He has been in communication with the neighbourhood watches on the issue of crime.

“This must be addressed, our youth are talented and they need platforms to express themselves. Our health system and service delivery is not efficient, especially for the elderly, they’re in long queues under harsh weather conditions on most days. This needs to be attended to,” he said.

Ward 75 candidate (Colorado Park, Westgate, Weltevreden Valley and New Woodlands area) Adaam Jacobs, 32, said he has been an activist in the ward for many years. He’s been doing youth empowerment and reaching out to people, there’s only so much an activist can do, he said.

“In order for me to speak to our people, we need to align ourselves with a political background. Through this party I’ve been politically educated, to be the voice for our people. I will fight for our people,” he said.

He wants to bring a library to the area. “Everything is online these days. Reading is a fundamental stage for our youth. Change won’t happen overnight, Ward 75 is a big area. Change will happen over time. If I don’t work hard, remove me from the seat,” he said.

Ward 79 candidate (parts of Rocklands and parts of Portland) Gavin Daniels, 57, said he went door-to-door and asked the community what their needs were. “I saw what the PA stood for and I stepped in,” he said.

He was involved in the neighbuorhood watch and the soccer fraternity. The youth need to be active in the community, this would prevent gangsterism and drug abuse he said. The elderly needs to be looked after as well. Street committees should be formed to combat crime and must be well established, he added.

Ward 92 candidate (parts of Tafelsig, Lost City, Silver City, Hyde Park, Mitchell's Heights, Freedom Park, and parts of Eastridge) Denise Green, 63, was selected by her party to be a candidate and alleviating poverty is her main priority.

“I want to supply people with food as much as I can. Sometimes I have, sometimes I don’t. I want to bring change to our community, help create jobs, help the elderly with their social grants, assist in housing and create sports activities for our youth. The backyards are small, we often have fires breaking out from backyard dwellings and this is a problem,” she said.

Ward 78 candidate (parts of Westridge, Westgate and Portland areas) Oleander Oakes, 45, said she has lived in Mitchell's Plain since she was 3 years old and has been a community activist for the past 22 years. She’s been part of the sub-forums, ward committees and community structures in the area.

“We are here for change,” she said. One of the issues they are struggling with in her ward is Portland Primary School’s infrastructure falling apart. This forms part of her strategic plan should be elected to ensure this school is restored to its former glory.

“Addressing social ills such as crime and gender-based violence is high on my priority list. Enough is enough, the time is now to come out and vote PA. We need to ensure our people’s voice comes back, that's why change is required. Our vote will determine how our tomorrow will be,” she said.

Ward 116 candidate (parts of Beacon Valley, Eastridge, Montrose Park, Promenade mall, Swartklip and Ikwezi Park area) Azrit Maritz, 53, said they want to bring their Godly stance back to the country, they are a God-fearing party.

The many challenges this ward already faces are service delivery, housing, water bill issues, schools and sports facilities. They are also relooking the housing list and municipal bills starting at zero.

“We are working hard to help those with these issues, it’s not easy but we believe we will make this possible for our people,” he said.

Ward 82 candidate (parts of Tafelsig) Christo Jonas, 38, said unemployment is at a high rate during this pandemic.

“Crime is just as much an issue, we need more cameras in our area to monitor this. Our young men are talented in our communities but there are no opportunities for them. We need our civic centres opened for the community of Tafelsig. I will also be looking at a social development programme for our youth and seniors,” he said.

The elderly need cover at the day hospital to withstand the weather conditions, said Mr Jonas. Drugs are also a problem in their area. He has also been affected by drugs 10 years ago. “We need rehabilitation centres in our areas as well,” he said.

Ward 43 candidate (Strandfontein and parts of Philippi) Patricia Jacobs, 36, said dealing with emotional well-being is a neglected aspect in the community.

She has been on the ground, listening to the community. “We can physically give to people, tomorrow the food parcel is gone. Our people are dealing with a lot emotionally. I want us to break generational curses over our people. They don’t heal by a food parcel or asking them to vote – people heal when they talk about what they’ve been through, they need to heal,” she said.

The family unit needs to be restored, the youth should go back to the elderly and learn from them; respect needs to be brought back. The youth needs assistance with their driver's licences so that this can benefit their future. “Our people need help emotionally, such as free counselling and workshops to name a few, I will make sure this happens,” she said.

Ward 76 candidate (parts of Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain District Hospital and Ikwezi Park areas), Liesle Shultz, wasn’t present at the meeting as she was attending a family funeral.