Ward 60 welcomes a new ward councillor, Mark Kleinschmidt, from the DA, who says he feels ecstatic about his new position.
His ward covers Belthorn Estate, (south-east of Lawson Road, north-east of Rokery Road and west of Jan Smuts Street), Crawford, Kenwyn, Lansdowne, Rondebosch East, and Sybrand Park.
Mr Kleinschmidt said safety and security remained challenges in the ward.
“I have already proactively met with the various neighbourhood watch groups in Kenwyn, Rondebosch East and have a meeting scheduled with Sybrand Park Neighbourhood Watch,” he said.
Some of the changes he wants to make include upgrading parks, and the establishment of the Kenwyn Nature Park. He said he would continue to engage with residents, community leaders, and organisation to ensure their needs remained a priority. “The establishment of a ward committee is a priority,” he added.
Contact: 082 572 2562
* Ward 45 also welcomes a new ward councillor, Bonita Jacobs, from the DA. The ward covers parts of Gugulethu and Manenberg. Ms Jacobs says she feels “overjoyed” to be a public representative and expects to be kept busy by her ward’s many socio-economic problems.
“Being a proportional councillor for three terms and residing in Manenberg, I interacted with many community structures and people that have sacrificed a lot to bring change to the area. We can only achieve more when we work together and let change be made possible to the ward if we are unified,” she said.
She identified unemployment, especially among the youth; crime; housing assistance to backyard dwellers; and dumping as challenges.
She wants residents to form neighbourhood watches and other crime-fighting initiatives. Advertising job opportunities and setting up a skills school are other plans she has for for the area, along with anti-dumping campaigns, food gardens and property transfers.
“Due to our history, we are faced with many social economic problems and setbacks, but that has not deterred many individuals to reach their goals and place in society,” she said.
Contact: 084 740 3039
* Ward 49 councillor Rashid Adams, from the DA, says he is very excited about the opportunity to serve the community “honourably and to the best of my ability”.
The ward covers Athlone (south of the N2, east of Athlone railway line, north of Newton Avenue and Boeschoeten Road and St Athens Road up to Belgravia Road and north of Klipfontein Road to Vanguard Drive. West of Vanguard Drive), Bridgetown, Hazendal, Kewtown, Silvertown, Alicedale, Athlone, Athlone CBD, Parktown and Gleemoor.
“I am extremely humbled by the outcome of the elections as it is overwhelming to see that so many people from our communities have entrusted me in representing them at council,” said Mr Adams.
He identified unemployment, housing and crime as the ward’s big challenges.
“These are issues that, unfortunately, will not be resolved over a short period of time. However, it will be my priority to ensure that issues such as these are addressed and that dialogue with all of our communities remains constant so that we remain informed of processes aimed at dealing with the mentioned subjects.”
He said he would ensure that all residents received the basic municipal services they deserved and he would develop a business plan outlining development for each of the areas in Ward 49 over the next five years in line with City policy.
Contact: 072 173 1180
* Ward 47 councillor Antonio Van Der Rheede, says he feels humbled to be back for a second term. The ward covers Hanover Park.
He said a shortage of housing was the ward’s big challenge.
“A month ago I called a public meeting which 1 000 residents attend-ed. I informed them of the budget I have secured for housing in the area which will provide housing opportunities for persons on the city rental stock database . With the upgrade and building of houses, it will provide temporary work to persons from our sub-council database. This includes subcontractors registered on our sub-council database. We also aim to establish neighbourhood watches across the whole area which will stabilise our area and allow citizens to take charge of safety in the ward,” he said.
Contact: 084 751 3056
