POTCHEFSTROOM, North West — In a historic shift for regional politics, multiple North West civic movements contest local government elections this year, transitioning from community watchdogs to active political participants. Historically focused on holding municipalities accountable for service delivery issues on behalf of residents, these organizations are now crossing the line into party politics to take their grievances directly to the council.
Restoring Potchefstroom’s Former Glory
Several active organizations in Potchefstroom are stepping into the political arena for the upcoming municipal polls. Among them, the Concerned Potchefstroom Residents (CPR) announced they will contest in all wards across the city, championing a return to the town’s former administrative and financial prominence.
Curtis Johnson, founder of the CPR, highlighted the stark contrast between the city’s current struggles and its past successes. He noted that Potchefstroom was once the number one administrative and financial city in the province, and ranked third nationally after Stellenbosch.
“Potchefstroom was a world-class city; that was our vision,” Johnson stated. He recalled a time when the city boasted top-tier statuses in water and human settlements, and maintained savings exceeding R800 million. Today, however, the movement’s focus is on resolving critical issues like persistent electricity failures and restoring the city’s foundational infrastructure.
Technical Expertise and Informal Settlements in JB Marks
Meanwhile, the civic movement BAAGI is focusing on bringing technical expertise to municipal councils. A primary pillar of their campaign is advocating for the formalization of more than 22 informal settlements within the JB Marks local municipality.
Pula Malefane, Chairperson of BAAGI, criticized the current municipal leadership for lacking hands-on experience and technical understanding. He pointed out that contractors and companies often mislead officials regarding technical infrastructure specifications, leaving residents without clear timelines for formalization.
“Formalization is not something that is new in the world… the problem is a lack of leadership,” Malefane explained. He emphasized that the technical solutions required for infrastructure development are well-known globally, but current leaders fail to implement them effectively, often brushing off residents who ask for updates.
Local Businesses Demand Action on Environment and Unemployment
The transition of these civic movements into party politics is being closely watched by local entrepreneurs. Young business owners in Potchefstroom are urging the new political entrants to keep their promises post-election.
One local business owner, who registered his startup following government encouragement to access state assistance, expressed frustration at receiving no support thus far. He is calling on the incoming leadership to prioritize environmental cleanup, specifically addressing illegal dumping sites and developing public parks to ensure a clean environment.
“We are hoping that we can expand the business with the ruling party that is coming up so that we can create more jobs and stop the unemployment rate from climbing any further,” the business owner said, noting that joblessness remains a critical crisis in the area.
A Community Yearning for Change
While it remains unclear if these newly formed political parties will secure enough voter support to fulfill their extensive manifestos, the underlying message from the community is clear. Residents across the North West are yearning for improved services, accountability, and a return to effective local governance.
