Community welcomes a political change of scenery

SUZANNE BELLING

Most of the members of the community approached by SA Jewish Report on their reaction to the outcome were upbeat about the changes, feeling it was a sign of true democracy in South Africa and that it would lead to better service delivery. They were also generally optimistic that the changes could lead to better governance.

Psychiatrist Dr Jonathan Moch said: “I think it’s a really good swing – the results are great, because the cities are where the real power is.”

Most of the ANC votes came from the rural areas, which were not indicative of power.

“The opposition has control where the major power is – I think it is fantastic, actually a miracle.”

He felt the elections were reasonably fair, with results out three days after the poll. Even in the United States, when George W Bush was voted in as president, the results took weeks to come out.

“In South Africa, people expected a major revolt from the EFF and it didn’t happen.”

Kim Isaacman of Sydenham said: “I am very happy that a DA councillor got in in my area. I am hoping that the DA keeps to its word, because the ANC didn’t.

“Politicians are very good talkers, but we need doers, not talkers.”

She is pleased that there are DA mayors in major centres – “as long as they keep their word and follow through”.

The DA results are “wonderful, but it takes a true leader to keep promises”.

The EFF backing the DA was “a real surprise”.

She felt it would not be a good idea for Malema to get in, but the EFF backing was welcome.

“The bottom line is, we need what is good for the country, not for individuals.”

Lana Chatkin of Dowerglen believed the results were much better than in previous elections. However, it was good that other parties are supporting the DA, “but the EFF is doing it to help themselves, not the DA. They want the ANC out, not the DA in, so they can have a better chance in the next election.”

She was hoping that the DA could deliver. “Now they have to come to the party. We have a DA councillor in our area, which I think makes a difference,” she said.

Former King David pupil, Adam Krok, a student of politics, philosophy and economics at Yale University in Connecticut, who is back on a family visit to South Africa, said: “I think democracy works in South Africa.”

The only legacy President Jacob Zuma leaves is that “the ANC would remain in power until ‘Kingdom Come’, but this was blown out. People no longer support the ANC because of its corruption and ineptitude.”

He hopes that other major metros would become a replica of Cape Town, with its governance and stable politics.”

However, the DA in Cape Town, in spite of its service delivery in urban areas, still creates inequality, as it does not apply to the townships.

“We need good governance and lesser inequalities.”

Heath Hall, a member of the “very tiny” Boksburg Jewish community, said the election results made him very happy.

“I was always hopeful that the DA would get a bigger percentage of votes, but was surprised that it was as high as it was.”

Living in the Ekurhuleni Municipality, the ANC ended up with an ANC mayor. They were still strong in the area.

Referring to DA rule in Cape Town he said this has been quite successful.

“I am hoping it will be the same here. I feel South Africa is fulfilling the democratic constitution.”

Marilyn Lever, of Oaklands, agrees. “I think the fact that we now have a strong opposition makes for a better democracy.

“I am hoping for change in service delivery. But the DA is not big enough to make sweeping changes,” she said.

It was in order to support them, “but we should not put them on a pedestal”.

She said the ANC did not apply tender processes correctly and she was hoping the DA would rectify this.