ONE would have thought that ANC councilors instinctively knew what party general secretary Gwede Mantashe told the Gauteng meeting this week.

ONE would have thought that ANC councilors instinctively knew what party general secretary Gwede Mantashe told the Gauteng meeting this week.

Mantashe reminded councilors that unless they delivered on services promised to communities the ANC stood to lose the local government election in 2011.

But in a situation where we have one dominant party the idea of losing an election is sometimes lost on elected officials. They tend to think that all they have to do to remain in power is to please some higher-ups at the party's head office.

Mantashe's message should be welcomed by all who love their communities, regardless of what parties they vote for.

Ultimately communities could not really care about the political stripes of a public servant so long as they make a positive change in their lives. Public service is after all, about delivering to those who vote you into power.