Pappas book on uMngeni municipality: Insights for South Africa

Chris Pappas, the mayor of uMngeni, believes that South Africa, although currently broken, needs repair.

He maintains that while fixing it is possible, it will require considerable effort and hard work.

South Africa can be mended says Pappas

Pappas and his deputy Sandile Mnikathi co-authored a book that serves as a practical guide for revitalising their small-town municipality through hands-on involvement.

Titled “Saving South Africa – Lessons from the uMngeni Municipality,” the book offers hope and inspiration to the nation. While acknowledging significant challenges, it emphasises that even a noteworthy setback like theirs can be reversed with the right approach.

The duo’s ascent to the mayorship of uMngeni Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands marked the Democratic Alliance’s sole victory during the 2021 municipal elections.

Pappas describes their inheritance as a town in disarray, plagued by inefficiency, financial strain, and a history of corruption.

“We wanted to tell the story of our administration’s experiences, the challenges we faced, and our successes,” Pappas said.

He stressed that the narrative was crafted to offer a pragmatic roadmap for other municipalities grappling with comparable governance challenges. 

However, he acknowledged that their journey wasn’t without its difficulties.

In their book, Pappas and Mnikathi delve into the broader ramifications of their efforts in uMngeni.

“This goes beyond the grand political scandals often spotlighted in the media,” the mayor remarked.

“It’s about tackling corruption at the grassroots municipal level, which can be equally pervasive and harmful as at higher levels of government.”

Pappas clarified that the book was meant to follow a different pattern of local political literature, which often dwells on grievances.

“Yes, things are dire; they’re dysfunctional. It’s a pervasive issue,” he acknowledged, reflecting on their uncovering of malpractice and administrative failures within the municipality. 

However, he emphasised that the book also embodies their initial optimism for success and the even stronger hope they now possess, having witnessed the possibility of rectifying severe deficiencies.

ACSA content with OR Tambo’s handling of medical emergency despite Pappas allegations of ‘Dismal Service’

ACSA stated that its handling of an elderly woman’s medical emergency was deemed ‘effective’, supported by evidence from CCTV footage.

Airports Company SA (ACSA) has responded to a medical emergency at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), countering criticisms uMngeni mayor Chris Pappas raised.

According to The Citizen, Pappas asserted on Wednesday that an older woman required urgent medical attention, highlighting that emergency calls went unanswered and paramedics were slow to respond.

OR Tambo International Airport’s Regional General Manager, Jabu Khambule, refuted Pappas’s assertions on Saturday.

Khambule stated that two calls were received at 12:09 pm and 12:10 pm, reporting the older woman’s emergency.

He asserted that paramedics arrived at 12:16, a time supported by CCTV footage. 

Additionally, he mentioned that the passenger received medical attention from the paramedics onsite, followed by treatment at the airport clinic before being transferred to ARWYP Medical Centre in Kempton Park.

Despite Pappas’s concerns, Khambule said the airport’s response to the medical emergency was efficient.

The airport’s general manager added that Acsa has a contract with a medical emergency company to respond to these types of incidents, which adheres to global standards and practices.

Acsa also apologised to bystanders who were traumatised by witnessing the medical emergency take place at the airport.

Also read: DA plans to challenge smaller parties in the Western Cape

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