WARD 9 councillor Skura Venene is one of the most refreshing people to talk to in town.
Unlike his comrades in the ANC who duck and dive about issues in the municipality and resent being questioned on hot topics, Venene is a straight-talking, approachable man who doesn't beat around the bush.
He is also a man who genuinely appears to be concerned about his community, and from his dealings with TotT, we have seen him taking a personal interest in flooding and fire victims and making efforts to bring them some relief.
He is not one to become personally offended by criticism of his party and may even admit that some criticism is justified, but he does take issue with what he sees as unwarranted attacks on himself.
Venene has said to TotT on previous occasions that he is not easily angered, but when he has encountered arrogant and unhelpful people, he does get ticked off.
Another thing that ticked him off this week was criticism directed against him from another long-time Nemato resident, Cope regional secretary Stwiga Njibana, someone he has known for a long time.
It is not the first time Cope has highlighted alleged incompetence and self-interest, and even corruption, in the ANC-led municipality, but it was one of the rare occasions Njibana has named a specific councillor as being lax in his duties.
Cope has embarked on a provincial community service programme and although Njibana says it is non-political, and they will not only focus on their constituents, it's par for the course they will contrast their strategy with the governance of the ruling party.
Ample ammunition is provided them by disgruntled communities which feel neglected by the ANC after getting their votes every election.
Nemato has more than its share of suffering people, but most residents now have running water, electricity, and even waterborne sewerage. We all experience Port Alfred's prolific potholes, but Nemato also has good tarred roads.
However, there will always be some more marginalised than others, as Njibana found when he visited the River Valley informal settlement, which he described as hidden from view and easily ignored. He knew Venene had canvassed for votes there before last year's election, but said the councillor had done very little for the community since.
Venene was outraged by the allegation, but after providing some choice quotes about "bulls***” and "political diarrhoea” he was big enough to say councillors needed to be challenged, and as much as Njibana annoyed him, the Cope leader had a role to fulfil.
But invoking the Bob Marley song, he said Njibana thought himself a big tree and Venene was happy to be the "small axe” that cut him down to size.
- Jon Houzet