The debate over job creation is taking centre stage in the North West ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
In Rustenburg, the newly formed Seriti Le Kaelo Independent Party (SLK) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are calling for the insourcing of municipal services as a potential solution to high unemployment.
SLK Deputy President and Rustenburg mayoral candidate Collen Mokone told YOU FM Newshour during an election debate that the party would prioritise insourcing if elected to office in November.
“We must diversify and insource some of the municipal services so that we can create much-needed jobs for our communities.
“We need permanent jobs for our people because it cannot be achieved through reliance on the municipal coffers alone. The municipality cannot achieve that without the assistance of big businesses.
“This will be done for the benefit of the entire community and not individuals,” said Mokone.
Mokone emphasised that the party was aware of the day-to-day struggles faced by Rustenburg residents, based on its interactions with communities.
“We are not new in Rustenburg; we know what the people want. We know what services are needed and what plans can be implemented, and we also understand everything that is needed in Rustenburg,” stressed the deputy president.
Mokone said the party would prioritise the delivery of basic services and job creation within communities during its first 100 days in office if elected.
“Reliable electricity supply, clean running water for our people, because water provision is not a privilege but a right. We need to do away with potholes, diversify and engage big businesses to create jobs, and negotiate with the mining sector.
“We cannot be a very rich mining community and fail to ensure that there is a better Rustenburg for all. We need to make sure that the mining sector comes on board,” added Mokone.
Meanwhile, speaking on the same debate programme, EFF Rustenburg mayoral candidate Israel Monaise said service delivery would be non-negotiable under an EFF-led municipality.
“Good, consistent service delivery will come top of our priorities. We will ensure that all municipal grants allocated to the municipality are fully spent to prevent them from being returned to the National Treasury.
“More than R400 million in unspent grants were returned to the National Treasury in the previous financial year,” said Monaise.
Monaise revealed that the party would soon take the Rustenburg Council Speaker to court over her alleged refusal to table the EFF’s motion on insourcing.
“We have written several letters to her, but she has refused to table our motion and, as the party, we agreed to begin the process of taking this matter to court,” remarked Monaise.
The party says that, despite its governance partnership with the ANC at the municipal council, its contribution is often ignored because it is in the minority on the council.
With the 4 November election approaching, political parties are intensifying their campaigns in Rustenburg and across the country. The Electoral Commission has certified more than 136,000 candidates for the 2026 local government elections.
