ATHINA MAY
The names of the ACDP candidates who will contest wards in Blaauwberg were posted onto the ACDP Greater Table View Facebook page before the official announcement were made.
The group listed its potential ward candidates for the August local government elections as Zweli Tukayi, Leon Alhadeff, Mike Channing and Kelly Lee Rau. It announced that Ms Rau was nominated as the ACDP candidate for the new Ward 113, which covers Flamingo Vlei, Sunridge and West Riding, as well as Killarney Gardens. If Ms Rau runs for Ward 113, she will be up against current Ward 4 councillor, Dr Joy McCarthy, who is the DA candidate for the ward and has been a familiar face in the Milnerton community (“Social media abuzz over DA candidates,” Tabletalk, Wednesday May 11).
Ms Rau is a communication and academic literacy lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
She joined the ACDP in 2013 as the communications co-ordinator for the Western Cape Provincial Executive Committee.
She is currently the chairperson of ACDP Greater Table View branch and regional co-ordinator for the Blouberg and Atlantis region.
Mike Channing was announced as the candidate for Ward 23, which is currently held by DA councillor Nora Grose. Ms Grose, who has come under fire from residents regarding many issues, has been re-elected by the DA to run for Ward 23.
Although Mr Channing has not been tied to any political party before, he has been a Table View resident since 1983 and assisted in establishing Table View High School in 1986. He served on the ratepayers’ association, helped to establish the West Coast Family Church and the West Coast Christian School, and his nomination has received a positive response from residents.
Virginia Clarke commented on the announcement of Mr Channing’s nomination, saying: “Greater Table View is crying out for change. Congratulations Mike Channing on your nomination. We know you will deliver because you are passionate about our area unlike the current incumbents.”
Christine de Nobrega commented: “I can vouch for Mike too. He has a deep-seated integrity that won’t be broken by party politics.”
Leon Alhadeff, himself a possible candidate for the ACDP, posted: “I know Mike personally and will attest to his character and good standing in this community. Unfortunately, for all other candidates Mike has the biggest shoes and has and will always champion the cause of this community first and foremost.”
Zweli Tukayi was congratulated on his nomination as the ACDP candidate for Ward 104, which includes Dunoon, and will be up against Zola Bisholo who is the DA candidate for that ward.
Mr Tukayi has been a member of the Table View community since 2012 and is currently the chairperson of the ACDP Provincial Council, a member of its Provincial Executive Committee, and has also served on its national structures.
According to his congratulatory post, his community interests started in high school where he spearheaded an organisation which assisted pupils by providing them with meals and stationery anonymously to protect their dignity.
ACDP director, Grant Haskin has said the party is contesting every ward in the City, and aims to win wards 4, 23, 107 and 113 in particular. However, Mr Haskin said candidates and ward numbers will only officially be announced after Thursday June 2, which is the cut-off date for the nomination to the IEC.
“To finalise which ward each candidate contests, we first need to complete an internal democratic process, and an internal candidate interview process. The ACDP provincial leadership will then determine which ward each candidate will stand in.”
“Mike and Leon are new to the party, in comparison to Kelly and Zweli, who have joined us wanting to stand for office for the ACDP and no other party,” said Mr Haskin.
Mr Haskin said the ACDP is highly impressed by the candidates’ extensive community experience .
“They have been fearless and tenacious but also fair and balanced in their pursuit to serve their community with distinction over so many years. To achieve this they have not hesitated to call out local councillors in the areas where they have failed to serve and respect the community that elected them.
“They have also given praise where it’s due and achieving this balance is important to the ACDP because we expect honesty, integrity and respect when working with communities, and this they have demonstrated,” said Mr Haskin.
