Battle lines drawn for by-election
Battle lines are being drawn in Ward 58 with a by-election on Wednesday August 28 to choose its new councillor.
The ward, which includes parts of Kenilworth, Claremont and Rondebosch, has been an easy win for the DA in the past with the party taking 84% of the vote in the 2021 municipal election and the runners-up, the Good Party and ANC, scoring 5% and 2.6%, respectively.
The by-election was triggered when former ward councillor Katherine Christie resigned in June to become a DA member of Parliament in the wake of the May general election (“Ward councillor quits for MP post,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, June 27).
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), three candidates have entered the race to control the ward. They are Dr Richard Hill from the DA, Bonita Stroeble from the Africa Restoration Alliance (ARA) and Simphiwe Silwane from the ANC.
Dr Hill, of Sybrand Park, has worked as a freelance environment and social consultant since 2021. He has a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a PhD in environmental assessment. He spent decades in academia in UCT’s department of environment and geographical science.
Dr Hill said his motivation for running for councillor stemmed from serving on the Sybrand Park Civic Association’s committee.
“I have always had an interest in politics and public service, and as an academic, I helped mentor the next generation of future leaders in their profession.
“I feel like I can make a difference for the City of Cape Town, not only in my professional expertise, though I contribute to policies, by-laws, and planning instruments such as municipal and district spatial development frameworks.”
His priorities if elected, he said, included improving the lives of the residents; promoting conservation and sustainable development; tackling social issues and crime; and working with the police, neighbourhood watches, community improvement districts, community police forums and security companies.
Ms Stroeble, of Retreat, recently retired from the City after working for 17 years in its social development department. She has a diploma in public administration and certificates for local government, monitoring and evaluation, and project management.
“I am extremely passionate about community development, the safety and security and bringing about awareness on the social ills our communities are riddled with.”
Ms Stroeble said she had built strong relationships through working with sub-councils on projects.
“I am confident that these strong relationships and experience within Ward 58 can aid with the services needed within the areas.”
Ms Stroeble said she would prioritise crime, safety and health and work closely with forums to foster stronger relations within the ward.
“My knowledge of the City of Cape Town and C3 system complaints and queries systems can make an impact on the service delivery time turn-around period within the ward,” she said.
Mr Silwane is originally from Nyanga but now stays in Rondebosch. He is a final-year Bachelor of Law student at UCT. He has done volunteer work at the Life Choices non-profit in Lansdowne.
He decided to stand as a candidate because he saw it as a leadership opportunity for the younger generation, he said.
“This ward has a very diverse demographic, a student population and a middle class,” he said, adding that the ward needed more affordable housing.
“Many young people, including students and new university graduates, are unable to buy or rent housing units in the ward due to the high prices.”
He would address rising municipal costs and build relationships with various organisations, including the police, neighbourhood watches and ratepayers’ associations, he said.
“It's important to find ways to work with existing organisations in order to make life easier for residents. I want to create a ward environment where everyone has a sense of belonging and community.”
More than 21 000 voters are registered for the by-election. There are polling stations at Claremont Primary School, Rosmead Central Primary School, 1st Wetton Scout Hall, Batavia School, Round Table Belvedere Community Centre, Rosebank Junior School and Voortrekker High School in Kenilworth. Those registered for special votes will be able to cast their ballots the day before, on Tuesday August 27.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 9pm.