Henka Kotzee, community leader, Matjhabeng:
Over the years, I have come to understand the vital importance of actively contributing to the well-being of others, ensuring that services and support reach those who need them most.
I am a citizen who takes pride in contributing to the common good. I have consistently strived to meet the needs of individuals and groups, ensuring their voices are heard and their challenges addressed.
I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of collaboration, compassion, and action.
When citizens come together, we can create lasting positive change, building stronger, more resilient communities.
Rooting out corruption is a complex but essential task for promoting
good governance, ensuring accountability, and improving public services. Steps that might help in the process:
¦ Public engagement: Involve the community through regular public meetings to raise awareness about the consequences of corruption and how it affects them.
¦ Open data initiatives: Encourage the municipality to make financial and procurement data easily accessible to the public, allowing for better scrutiny.
¦ Independent audits: Push for regular audits by independent bodies like the Auditor-General of South Africa to ensure funds are being spent appropriately.
¦ Whistle-blower protections: Establish or reinforce mechanisms for whistle-blowers to report corruption anonymously without fear of retaliation.
¦ Anti-corruption training: Ensure that all municipal staff receive training on ethics, accountability, and anti-corruption laws.
¦ Modelling integrity: Encourage local leaders to demonstrate strong ethical behaviour and lead by example in resisting corrupt practices.
While fighting corruption can be challenging, collective efforts, persistence, and a commitment to justice can lead to significant positive changes in the local government – Letter shortened Editor.
