Less than a month after the general elections, Table View residents will head back to the polls to choose a new ward councillor.
The by-election for Ward 113 on Wednesday, June 19 was called after long-time councillor Dr Joy Solomon resigned in March (“Veteran councillor calls it a day,” Tabletalk, March 20).
The ward, which covers Flamingo Vlei, Killarney Gardens, Parklands Main Road and Sunridge, will be contested by the DA, the ANC, African Restoration Alliance (ARA), and the EFF, according to Michael Hendrickse, the provincial electoral officer of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
DA candidate Sue van der Linde, the founder of Iris House Children’s Hospital, says safety and security tops the list of “many changes” she hopes to bring to the community.
She says she has the will to serve and excellent communication skills.
She wants to strengthen relations between the community and law enforcement, eradicate gender-based violence in the ward and create cleaner, more accessible public spaces.
“My goal is to effect positive change within our ward. By collaborating with all relevant role-players, we will build a safer Ward 113. I understand the unique challenges our ward faces, including the presence of street people and the homeless. I pledge to utilise the City of Cape Town’s available channels to address these concerns, ensuring that your issues are brought to the metro council’s attention.”
ANC candidate Thando Masabalala says he got into politics at the age of 15 while living in Port Elizabeth.
Government school shortages, human trafficking, insufficient budget allocations, high electricity tariffs and water levies and poor access to health facilities are among the issues in the ward that need tackling, he says.
He says he wants to bring government services to the people to build a better life for all in the ward.
“In our ward, we don’t have informal businesses. We, as ANC, will advocate for a combined effort from formal and informal business in the area. We hope to bring community-based business forums to work together to benefit the ward.”
The EFF’s Thobeka Pikini is a gender-based violence activist who has been with the party for more than 10 years. She says she believes she has the ability to make positive changes in the ward by ensuring that it’s safe for women and children.
She also hopes to bring a “significant change or solution” to unemployment and homelessness.
The ARA’s candidate is Garth Armstrong, but the party did not respond to questions by deadline.
