What do Capetonians really need as elections loom?
Can Cape Town emerge from the shadows of its turbulent past? As elections approach, one veteran journalist shares a heartfelt call for a city that serves all its people equitably, where belonging, dignity, and the promise of a better future are finally within reach.
For nearly two years, the author has been reporting on the issues plaguing Cape Town. These include budgets, housing shortages, skewed priorities, unaffordable municipal bills, allegations of corruption, and the gap between the city's success and the residents who still lack access to its benefits. With local government elections approaching, the author reflects on a crucial question: what do Capetonians truly need?
The author emphasizes the need for a city that belongs to its people, where children can build their futures, the elderly can live with dignity, working families can afford municipal bills, and young people from the Cape Flats can envision a future beyond unemployment and despair. The city should also ensure that the wealth and opportunities it offers are distributed more fairly.
The author notes that many Capetonians question the ANC's continued presence in local government, asking how Faiez, a critic of the ANC, can still campaign for them. Faiez acknowledges the ANC's corruption, loss of direction, and failures but insists that loyalty means speaking out against wrongdoing, regardless of political affiliation.
He demands independent investigations into allegations such as the black books, JP Smith, tender trail, and Helen Zille's alleged intelligence activities. The author refuses to participate in a politics of blame and distraction, where the local government's shortcomings are blamed on the national government while the local leaders escape scrutiny.
The author examines Cape Town's budgets, including the proposed R87.8 billion for 2026/27, and questions whether they reflect the city's priorities and values. He points out the skewed allocation of funds towards infrastructure, public land, and delayed projects, with little evidence of improved lives. The author challenges the notion that a balanced budget is equivalent to meeting the needs of working families, poor communities, and those pushed further away from opportunity.
The author addresses the issue of the Distance Tax, which makes it difficult for families from the Cape Flats to access jobs and opportunities in the city. He criticizes the celebration of housing pipelines while families still wait for actual homes and calls for a People's Return on the Rand, emphasizing that a city's success should be measured by more than just financial statements.
The author has calculated his own municipal bill and questioned whether the charges imposed are consistent with the constitutional promise of dignity, equality, and access to basic services. He notes that ten months after raising this issue, there has been no meaningful improvement in affordability or relief for families.
Faiez Jacobs announces his candidacy in the upcoming elections, representing Rondebosch, Kenilworth, and surrounding communities. With over thirty years of public service, governance experience, parliamentary oversight, and community work, he believes he can contribute valuable insights and solutions to the challenges facing Cape Town. He urges voters to judge and scrutinize candidates based on their actions and contributions, rather than relying on preconceived biases.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
