Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) — that is the name of the soon-to-be launched political party established with Bay businessman and anti-apartheid activist Mkhuseli “Khusta” Jack as its leader.
In October, Jack told The Herald that this new movement would contest the 2021 local government elections, but at the time it was yet to be named or launched.
No date has been set for the launch, but Jack said a number of prominent people had already volunteered to serve in AIM.
More would be approached, he said.
“Concerned residents who are determined to save the metro from further decay got together in a founding meeting and established AIM,” he said.
The founding meeting was held in October when its name was approved and an interim executive elected. Jack was elected as the “volunteer-in-chief”.
“The team will be unveiled at the public launch of AIM which will be held once all statutory requirements have been completed to formally register the party with the Independent Electoral Commission to contest the municipal elections in next year,” Jack said.
While AIM has not started a formal recruitment drive, Jack said hundreds of residents had expressed their willingness to join the new kids on the block.
“We are humbled by the fact that residents are actually running ahead of us, establishing themselves in small groups in places like Uitenhage, Despatch, Motherwell, the northern areas and PE suburbs.
“We knew that residents were impatient for change in the metro but we did not expect such a groundswell reaction to the establishment of AIM.
“Clearly many people feel strongly that the time for change is long overdue,” he said.
Jack was hopeful that AIM was a local government-in-waiting.
“AIM is confident that it will win the overwhelming support of residents in the municipal elections to lead the process of renewal in the metro,” Jack said.
“As a result [of there not being an outright winner in 2016] all we have witnessed over the past four years is a political vacuum which gave rise to a merry-go-round of musical chairs in the council.
“Unfortunately, the effects of that political circus have trickled down to the administration, hampering service delivery.”
He said AIM would put the metro’s administration back on a sound footing and only deploy honest men and women who would put the interests of residents first as councillors.
“At the launch, AIM will also present its 10-point plan to save the metro.
“We will be asking residents for a firm and clear mandate to lead the process of change.”
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