It's hotting up in Ward 35, Umhlanga, north of Durban, as candidates prepare to go head to head in a hotly contested by-election this week.
Umhlanga is one of Durban’s richest neighbourhoods, home to the city’s best restaurants and beaches and where the rich and the elite rub shoulders.
Zohra Teke put the following questions to all three candidates and these were their individual responses:
1. What is your biggest success to community service?
2. How will you make a difference to the ward you are contesting?
3. Which party were you a member of previously and why did you leave?
4. How long are you a member of the current party?
5. What will be your first priority if you win?
ANC Candidate, Xolani Mabaso:
1. I've been involved in community service for the longest time through the NPO AmaGents Foundation. Being a community servant is something I live and breathe.
2. Ward 35 has been hit significantly with many natural disasters since 2019 which has affected the ward harshly and affects the aging infrastructure including high spillage of sewage in our beaches which affects tourism due to closure of beaches.
We all know that when people come to Durban and Umhlanga they enjoy dipping their feet in the beach and if its closed it means less visitors coming to enjoy their much deserving holiday break.
I will make sure that more money goes to infrastructure development such as investing on roads and storm water upgrades for efficiency.
Ward 35 residents are also affected by the inconsistency of their utility billing which I will put more effort to ensure that they pay for what they have used and not estimates.
3. I've always been a member of the ANC.
4. I joined the ANCYL in 2012 and I remain a disciplined member of the ANC not once have I ever thought of leaving the organisation as I believe this is the only organisation that will take this country forward.
5. In today's economy saving every rand where we can is very important. If I can save some few rands for the community for me that will be the biggest achievement.
DA Candidate, Bradley Singh:
1. After being elected to the Provincial Legislature in 2019, I secured six SIU proclamations related to various corruption activities in the Department of Arts and Culture. As a ward councillor for 10 years prior to that, I accomplished numerous infrastructure projects in the wards I served.
2. I will ensure that service delivery is a priority. My understanding of local government, combined with strong support from my colleagues in the eThekwini Municipality caucus, Ministers, and MECs, will help get things done for residents.
As a DA public representative, I will also have direct access to various levels of support within the party, further ensuring we can deliver on our commitments.
3. I was previously a member of the Minority Front but left because I recognised that the DA is the only party capable of rescuing South Africa.
4. I've been a member of the Democratic Alliance since 2014.
5. My first priority will be to ensure that all outstanding infrastructure projects are completed, particularly those delayed due to the recent floods, such as stormwater and sewage issues.
ActionSA Candidate Saul Basckin:
1. One of my successes was the safe return of a minor following their successful rescue and the arrest of the perpetrator.
2. I make things happen. I know the ward and its problems well. Unlike in the past, I would not simply escalate issues to the municipality; I would actively be part of the solution. For example, our local water and sewerage infrastructure has been failing for years.
Instead of solely relying on the municipality, I've already assembled a team of experts to tackle these issues. The team consists of independent retired senior staff from eThekwini Municipality, Umgeni Water and a water pressure specialist.
We will be working on both short-term “quick fixes” and long-term strategies. I will ensure proper plans and budgets are in place and will make sure things get done. Other priorities: Enforcing by-laws, tackling the growing issue of vagrants and criminal activity in the area and assisting those who have received outrageous water bills.
3. I was a member of the DA. Prior to this, I had not been a member of any party. I resigned because I felt that the DA was putting party politics ahead of what was right for the community.
4. I joined ActionSA on 19 August 2024.
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