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Understanding
the CMDA
board and its operation
Most Cato Manor residents
are not quite aware of how the CMDA Board of Directors is
structured. The Board make-up is based on a partnership
that is necessary for the urban renewal of Cato Manor. This
partnership consists of both representatives from provincial
and local government, specialists and the community.
At the helm is the chairperson (Willies Mchunu),the vice
chairperson (S. Govender), assisted by the CEO (Clive Forster)
as an ex-officio member and both Ward 29 & 30 councillors
Sbu Gumede and Mpume Chamane as representatives of local
government. The rest of the members come from the provincial
government, the Cato Manor Community Organisation and specialists
in local economic development, social development, education
etc.
Community representation on the CMDA Board was introduced
in 1997 when it became necessary to strengthen the partnership
to create a balance in the representation. Since then the
community has been represented by six members who are nominated
from the Cato Manor Community Organisation, a de facto organisation
representing the aspirations of all communities in the project
area. Their core function is to represent local community
interests and communicate between the Board and the communities
while the Board’s function is to develop the policy and
to guide the development process.
The Board meets ten times a year. It also operates with
a number of sub-committees dealing with specific issues,
for example, the sub-committee on Community Relations, the
Audit Committee which scrutinises the organisations’ finances
and the Staffing and Remuneration Committee.
At the last annual general meeting, four new members of
the CMCO were appointed to serve on the CMDA Board. This
may be the last Board of Directors since the CMDA is expected
to disband in 2003. The Board will however remain intact
until the last audit has been finalised and a resolution
to disband has been reached.
By way of introducing some of the community representatives
on the CMDA Board of Directors to our readers, we bring
you excerpts of our interviews with them:-
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Pillay - Umkhumbaan
"Personally it gives me
positional power to make constructive criticism and
put forward innovative ideas which will be heard to
make a difference. Being a member of the CMDA Board
will help me build a better society for the people
of Cato Manor. To be one of the drivers to remove
barriers for development.
Also to see that any development is sustainable in
the future."
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Vusi
Ndwandwe - Chesterville Extention
"As a Cato Manor resident I am interested in the
development of Cato Manor and am also looking forward
to contribute to the formulation of the policies that
affect the lives of Cato Manor people. I believe in
turning problems into solutions, governance by delivery
and participatory management. The major challenge facing
the Board and the Cato Manor community are the socio-economic
challenges which have been identified through consultative
meetings with communities, like the high rate of unemployment,
crime and high rate of HIV infection. To achieve best
results all we need is the strategy, systems and structures
plus programmes to alleviate the socio-economic shortfalls." |
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Bonginkosi
Zondo - Fast Track West
"To serve the people of
Cato Manor at this high level is an honour. It grants
me the opportunity to safeguard their interests and
to ensure that their aspirations are properly channelled
and that there is transparency. I will be a part of
the problem-solving mechanism. Serving on the Board
will increase my skills and give me the opportunity
to learn."
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Nomusa
Mfuphi - Cato Crest
"Serving the people of Cato
Manor is always going to be a tough challenge. I will
use this an an opportunity to advance aand fight for
women’s rights. But importantly, I want to contribute
to the economic development programmes and ensure that
every person in Cato Manor lives in a peaceful environment
without poverty and crime. " |
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Mazwi’s
Diary
 Doing
the right thing
Ever noticed how at functions
we black people consciously omit the last two stanzas
of the National Anthem, Nkosi’ Sikelel’iAfrica? If
the Springboks as South Africa’s sports ambassadors
are proud to sing the national anthem in far places
like France and England why can’t we as ordinary citizens
master the national anthem. I have always watched
with pride as the Springboks or even the players in
Bafana Bafana sing the national anthem to the last
note.
I think as responsible citizens it is in our interest
to memorise the lyrics and master singing Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrica.
Particularly because it is representative of the sacrifices
that we as a nation have collectively made to get
Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrica to be the only national anthem
that will represent South African aspirations.
It is quite embarrassing to see community leaders
rushing to stop the anthem as soon as both the Afrikaans
and English stanzas are about to be sung. It will
be advisable for community leaders to invite people
who know the new version to lead in singing it so
that those who are still doubtful can learn and adopt.
It will also be in our interest to have copies pasted
on walls where we normally hold meetings as communities.
The national anthem represents unity as a nation.
In the past nations would go to war over land and
the national anthem. Traditionally, when the national
anthem was sung, males would remove their hats and
all movement would cease, thereby giving the national
anthem due respect. In some cases ‘coughing’ was considered
disrespectful to the nation.
Let’s do the right thing. Let us all know the national
anthem by heart. But above all let us remember the
past.
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The
South African National Anthem
Nkosi
sikeleli Afrika
Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo
Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi sikelelela
Thina lusapho lwayo
Morena
boloka Setjhaba saheso
Ofedise dintwa lematshwenyeho
(O se boloke)
O se boloke
Setjhaba saheso
Setjhaba sa South Africa
South
Africa
Uit
die blou van onse hemel
Uit die diepte van ons see
Oor ons ewige gebergtes
Waar die kranse antwoord gee
Sounds
the call together
And united we shall stand
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land.
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