As a councillor, not so long ago, what is written here, stating councillors are placeholders, carries Newtonian quality weight. The journalist that I used to be, before my tenure in politics, bestowed upon me, concurrent; consistent multiple approaches, for execution.
Let me put forth my interpretation of a model councillor/politician, where I was. A person that did (actual) work, with the community individuals daily, attending council meetings, meeting party commitments, and most importantly; navigating the grey areas with integrity. There is much; much more, but this outlines the core.
The hierarchical leadership of the political party, I was a part off, left ones head spinning. Caucus leader, to constituency leader, to (insert title here) leader… as a councillor, I found the overarching anomalies, needed a calculus equation to break down.
An incumbent would be the face (interim placeholder) in a local election, per ward; using demographic and at times ethnic hooks. The KwaDukuza 2021 elections proved this. This is not the “placeholder” though.
One of the leaders above, uttered in a meeting full of public representatives that “all councillors are not equal”. Taken aback, I did not understand until being out of the attempted gaslighting atmosphere.
Councillors are pawns in a chess game that is continually handled by a grand leader, with the bishops awaiting veneration. The veneration (ass-kissing) defeats a working pawn. Worship beats intelligence, education, and integrity. So-called assessments of a councillor’s performance, is but a farce, because chosen ones are exempt.
The citizens that voted for the political parties that make these decisions, must be informed of how councillors are placeholders, ultimately.