HAMMANSKRAAL, Gauteng — As South Africa gears up for the November 4 local government elections, political party ECOFORUM has taken its campaign directly to the communities of Temba and Hammanskraal. The party is advocating for a localized, community-driven approach to development, focusing heavily on service delivery, job creation, and ward-level accountability to address the region’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
Dr. Bafana Langa, President and leader of ECOFORUM, emphasized that the party, which is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, views local government as a vital vehicle for real transformation. He noted that the power to change people’s daily lives lies in community involvement and the localization of development strategies.
Decentralizing Power and Community Trusts
A key pillar of ECOFORUM’s campaign is the establishment of stronger community partnerships through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with residents in the Tshwane region and other contesting areas.
To ensure financial transparency and community empowerment, Dr. Langa announced that the party plans to appoint a seven-person community trust. This trust would be responsible for directing development funds, effectively decentralizing financial power away from traditional councilors and Community Liaison Officers (CLLOs) and placing it directly into the hands of the community.
Tackling the Decades-Long Water Crisis
Addressing the pervasive water crisis in Hammanskraal, which has plagued the area for decades, Dr. Langa was highly critical of the current administration’s failure to provide basic necessities. He highlighted the severe health risks posed by a local hazardous waste and water plant, alleging it emits harmful micro-particulates that contribute to illnesses, including cholera and other unknown diseases.
Blaming “water tank mafias” and unceremonious coalitions for the ongoing crisis, Dr. Langa stated that ECOFORUM possesses the documentation, technology, and instruments required to provide clean, safe water to over 1,000 households. He promised that if elected, the party would not only implement these technological solutions but also ensure strict legal consequences, including arrests, for those responsible for the hazardous infrastructure.
Empowering Youth and the Local Economy
Beyond basic service delivery, ECOFORUM’s platform includes robust community economic development initiatives aimed at eradicating poverty. The party is launching communal agricultural spaces, providing seeds to the elderly to grow staple crops like cabbage and onions, allowing households to sustain themselves daily.
Furthermore, the party is prioritizing Early Childhood Development (ECD) and cultural education to foster social cohesion between the boy and girl child. In partnership with SETU, ECOFORUM is also driving a human development and skills training agenda, advocating for universal access to education.
To combat youth apathy and address the “covert economy” where young people remain unemployed at home, ECOFORUM has integrated extensive youth programs into its grassroots campaign. Dr. Langa highlighted initiatives focused on the youth through art, culture, and sports, including the establishment of local soccer teams with dedicated coaches.
The party’s economic strategy targets individuals aged 18 to 55, aiming to transition them from job seekers to entrepreneurs. Through an “industrial revolution” program, ECOFORUM aims to ensure that degree and diploma holders are not just employed, but are actively created as entrepreneurs who can partake in the broader macroeconomy and assist their families.
As the November 4 elections approach, ECOFORUM maintains that the greatest economy is the knowledge of the people, and that true transformation must start at the grassroots level to deliver the “daily bread” that communities are desperately seeking.
