Civic organisation now delving into politics in eThekwini

In a move aimed at reinvigorating community representation within local governance, the DA in KZN has announced its collaboration with the civic organisation, Voice of Phoenix (VoP). 

DA KZN chairperson Dean Macpherson, at an event on Monday said the party's strategy is to bring civic organisations and community organisations into the DA so that the party can grow its reach into communities.

"We know that they obviously have a lot of members in communities and that they are very influential.

“As we start getting into our quest to take over this municipality, we know that we are going to have to work with a number of organisations, whether they’re civic or ratepayers associations. 

“The Voice of Phoenix, which is a very influential civic organisation, is now working with the DA, their member, Vassie Govender, is joining us as a councillor in the municipality. So he’ll be able to fight for his community in the municipality.”

Macpherson highlighted the VoP’s previous criticism of the DA, but emphasised their decision to unite for the benefit of the residents.

“Let’s make sure that the DA is able to get a majority in the city and that all community organisations are going to be a part of that so that we can fix the city and stop the terrible decline that we’ve seen over the last few years,” Macpherson said. 

Explaining how the collaboration will work, Macpherson said: “Mr Govender is now a DA councillor for us, and his resources will be directed towards advancing our goals in communities and saying that civics play a role, but it's political parties that can actually make that difference.

“It’s uniting those two forces and saying that when we work together, we can actually achieve better results.” 

Macpherson said they are delighted Govender has joined them. 

“We’re going to actually be able to infuse that civic voice into the municipality as well, which often treats people with contempt, ignores community organisations, and communities don’t have water for weeks on end. He’s also going to be able to bring a new dynamic to what we're doing in the council,” Macpherson said. 

He said they will announce further organisations that will be partnering with the DA as the party accelerates its efforts towards the local government election.

Govender is a VoP executive member. 

The Voice of Phoenix, founded in late 2022/2023, was established when a group united to represent the suffering of the Phoenix community.

Govender was with the DA until 2013, as a constituency chairperson. 

“I walked away because I didn’t like something, I took it personally, but taking that personally, I didn’t realise (how) I’m affecting my community,” Govender said. 

“This is why I call myself a prodigal son now because I’m saying I have to come right back to where I know good governance is taking place.” 

On uniting with the DA, Govender said they had received many other approaches. 

“The DA had approached us  and we’ve engaged four times. In those engagements, I wasn’t aware that they had a position for me,” Govender said. 

“Then our group of executive members realised that the only way we can make a difference here is if we align ourselves with somebody that’s going to represent our challenges in the community.”

Govender stated that while their organisation was apolitical, they were now delving into politics.

“As a civic organisation, we couldn’t scream enough, we couldn’t shout enough, we couldn’t do the things that would bring some relief to our society. We need to engage with the politicians whether we like it or not, so the politicians have approached us.” 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za