With less than two months to go before the local government elections, the Journal News Network sat down with Democratic Alliance (DA) Mangaung mayoral candidate Werner Pretorius to discuss his readiness to lead the metro should the party win on 4 November.

As a former Mangaung councillor, what would you do differently for the people of the metro?

We must be very clear that, under a DA government, we will not neglect the smaller towns outside Bloemfontein.

I have visited Soutpan, Thaba Nchu, Wepener, Van Stadensrus, Dewetsdorp and Botshabelo, and there is a sense in some of these communities that they have been forgotten by the ANC-led administration.

We must ensure that the same level of services is delivered across all the towns that form part of Mangaung. We also need to revisit the budget and formulate a truly pro-poor budget.

Currently, only 41% of indigent households, according to National Treasury standards, are registered as indigent in Mangaung. That means there is a massive pool of people who still need to be registered so that the municipality can access grant funding and ensure that the poorest of the poor have access to basic services, water and electricity.

One of the major challenges, particularly in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, is the state of the roads. The road conditions are terrible and must be addressed.

The DA often points to the City of Cape Town as an example of good governance. Why do you believe that model can work in Mangaung?

Firstly, the DA is a party that can be held accountable. In the DA, if people do not perform, heads will roll.

My head will roll as mayor if I fail to deliver for the people of Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. My own party will hold me accountable.

We will work tirelessly, as we have done wherever we govern, to ensure that the mandate of local government is delivered. Every cent of grant funding received for upgrading bulk infrastructure must be utilised for its intended purpose.

Look at our track record across South Africa. Where we govern, we are upgrading bulk infrastructure, delivering housing and creating opportunities.

If you look at jobs created over the past five years, nine out of 10 jobs in South Africa were created in areas where the DA governs. That demonstrates that the DA understands local government. When local government works, people work.

You have spoken extensively about the DA's record. What would be your priorities if Mangaung voters give you the mandate?

The challenges facing Mangaung can be fixed, and we can grow the economy in a way that allows the metro to function as it should.

One of my priorities will be economic growth. But you cannot have economic growth when your roads are not functioning. When roads work, people work.

We also need to look at what has happened to factories and industries, particularly in Botshabelo, where many businesses have closed.

Mangaung's tariff structure for commercial and business premises is quite high. The Financial Recovery Plan by National Treasury has indicated that the metro must consider reducing tariffs for businesses.

I visited the Botshabelo Industrial Park and, since then, we have received many direct messages from young entrepreneurs and small businesses asking for assistance. They want to grow, employ more people and contribute to the economy, but they need access to suitable business premises.

You appear to be placing particular emphasis on Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. Why, and what are you promising residents in these areas?

The people of Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu have immense potential.

We must go back to National Treasury and make the case for more funding because we want to invest more in these areas. We want to upgrade roads, improve bulk infrastructure and see these towns become economic hubs.

Thaba Nchu has immense potential. Botshabelo has immense potential. What they need is a stable government that delivers the basics and provides a foundation for people to build their lives, families and wealth.

Our message to voters in Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo is simple: give the DA an opportunity on 4 November.

We want to see Mangaung working so that people can find employment, earn a living, live with dignity and be proud of their cities and towns.

As the DA's provincial chairperson, do you believe good governance should focus only on Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, or Mangaung as a whole?

Mangaung must become an example of good governance for the entire Free State.

Municipalities such as Matjhabeng, Metsimaholo, Ngwathe, Kopanong and Mohokare must be able to look at Mangaung and see what is possible.

If Mangaung does not work and set the example, if it does not achieve clean audits, progress economically and demonstrate what good governance looks like, I do not believe the Free State will work.

Mangaung must set the example and be ready for that challenge.

What we need now, on 4 November, is the support of the electorate. Give us your vote and hold us accountable. We will not shy away from accountability.

Unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges in Mangaung and across South Africa. What strategy does the DA have to reduce unemployment significantly?

We are fortunate in Mangaung to have two academic powerhouses: the Central University of Technology and the University of the Free State.

We have experts and institutions that can help us find solutions. There has already been a call from the university for stronger cooperation with local government.

We need to establish a forum involving the private sector, all three spheres of government and tertiary institutions to ask: as Mangaung is located at the centre of South Africa, where can we invest heavily and what makes economic and scientific sense?

We cannot continue spending public money on projects that are set up to fail from day one. Local government investment must be based on data, evidence and science.

I believe there is massive potential in the health sector. We have major hospitals and specialists, and people already travel from the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape to access healthcare services in Mangaung.

We need to explore how we can expand that sector and position Mangaung as a centre of medical expertise.

Tourism is another area with huge untapped potential. We need to ensure that our heritage sites are properly maintained and accessible to the public, while bringing local entrepreneurs and businesses into the sector.

But all of this must be evidence-led.

Ultimately, the most basic thing Mangaung can do is deliver basic services. If people have water in their taps, a stable power grid, reliable refuse collection and functioning roads, we will attract investment and encourage local businesses to expand and employ more people.

That is the fundamental responsibility we must fulfil in government.