The Secret Culture Of Politics - An open letter to Councillor Gerhard Ras of the City Of Cape Town.

An Open Letter to Councilor Gerhard Ras of the City of Cape Town.

The one thing that all politicians know is that they have time on their side. And those that use this knowledge best will be able to wiggle their way out of any situation. The Public memory is short and the momentum of life tends to sweep most stuff away. All a politician needs to do with a nagging little pest like me is to make sure that a matter is postponed indefinitely so that it mysteriously disappears and life can go back to normal. Creating the semblance of normality while ignoring the secret culture of politics.

Just like at the Bonteheuwel Sports Grounds, where, despite the fact that I have been asking you to intervene, you have failed to do the most obvious things.

I have brought to your attention that funds have been paid by the City Council to an organization that does not exist legitimately, you have acknowledge this illegitimacy and you have also acknowledged that this illegitimate body cannot account for at least one and a half years of income and expenditure.

I have also brought it to your attention that a key member of this orginisation has previous findings of “financial mismanagement” against him.

Yet have you failed to do the most obvious thing. You have failed to suspend the Body, ensure legitimate elections are held or an interim board put in place and ensure that financial records are accounted for and that financial systems are put in place to prevent future mismanagement.

I am grateful that this process of engagement with you has led to a revision of the entire system of sports facility management, and you should be commended for initiating the process.

I do, However, believe that you are missing a vital opportunity to initiate a process of “management support” for these sports councils and facility management councils, who you yourself admitted are mismanaging the cities sports facilities on a large scale.

Just like in Bonteheuwel, it is important to foster good governance, not by ignoring the problem but by tackling it head on.
Problems cannot just be legislated away. You have to take the bull by the horn and actually do something to change things.

By Implementing these small measure that I suggested above, I believe that you not only set a good example but start to lay the seeds of a prosperous community.

For almost two years I could not make you see sense in the confines of your Palatial Ivory Towers, perhaps you will be more forthcoming in the cold gaze of the Public.

Please do the right thing.

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