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Views lodged in apartheid past
07 August 2012

E-mail your letter to The Herald

OPEN letter to Kobus Gerber :

Last Thursday (02/08/2012) Gerber represented the so-called Ratepayers Association of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro at The Herald-NMMU Community Dialogue. When Gerber articulated himself it was clear he was a "verkrampte” (conservative) of the past.Gerber represented the so-called Ratepayers Association of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro at The Herald-NMMU Community Dialogue. When Gerber articulated himself it was clear he was a "verkrampte” (conservative) of the past.

His continued referral to incompetent officials employed by the metro suggests that black people in general are incompetent as he cannot give one single example of such an appointment.

What Gerber fails to admit is that under this ANC government we enjoy this right to open dialogue with the public. Community participation in government matters is the order of the day which shows how transparent the government of the day is.

The Gerbers of the day were unheard of during the apartheid era as they actively supported the laws of discrimination and even made sure that it was kept securely intact. I do not know of any instance when the apartheid government had any platform for civil society to engage it on government-related matters.

In fact the Gerbers preferred it as such in order for them to benefit from the programmes designed to benefit the whites.

The unfortunate consequence of all the democratic rights the ANC has fought for and legislated can now be hijacked by people such as Gerber to pursue their own political and ethnic interest.

My questions to Gerber are:

  • When were you elected by the ratepayers of Nelson Mandela Bay?
  • When and where was the last annual meeting that you had?
  • How many ratepayers attended your last annual meeting?
  • How many ratepayers are members of your association?
  • Can the attendance register of your last annual meeting please be made public?
  • Why were you quiet during the days of apartheid concerning municipal matters?
  • You have stated that your association is apolitical. Are you a member of any political party and do you vote during elections?

Let us remain honest and do not hide behind political rhetoric when responding to my letter.

Lawrence Troon, ANC councillor, Port Elizabeth



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thirsty [13 August 2012 17:22]
what a twat, i mean twit, i mean what wit he speaks with!!!
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