ANC backs Sokolich to win Vincent ward from the DA

BORDER Bodybuilding executive and businessman Andrew Sokolich will now attempt to win the elusive Buffalo City Metro’s ward 18 for the ANC.

BCM is set to hold two by-elections on June 20 following the resignation of DA ward 18 councillor David Viaene, while in ward 21, the position has been vacant since the death of ANC ward councillor Mlandeli Ngabayena.

The ANC met last weekend and nominated Sokolich in its branch general meeting.

Ward 18 covers Vincent and Selborne and has been governed by the DA. However, Sokolich believes he will win the ward for the ruling party.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Sokolich said he intended to make ward 18 “great again” by creating a proud community with a voice to be heard.

He said he would work tirelessly to make sure that marginalised groups such as women, children and disabled people were included in any developmental programme that was to be implemented in the ward.

“We will evaluate the policies and programmes of the municipality and take into consideration the needs of the people they represent and make recommendations that can improve these policies and programmes in line with the objectives of developmental local government,” said Sokolich.

He is currently doing his PhD with the University of South Africa.

“It is imperative that we create an open society that will be able to be inclusive of all. We must create a society that is able to build itself through debate and an honest discussion of issues,” said Sokolich.

ANC W B Rubusana region elections head Sinethemba Mashalaba said the ANC was confident in Sokolich’s ability to organise.

“We are confident in the respect that Sokolich has from his community. We also appreciate that we will have a candidate who has a total understanding of the entire BCM makeup.

“This is a man who has had businesses that created champions from Mdantsane,” said Mashalaba.

The DA unveiled their candidate, Jason Mc Dowell, weeks earlier.

Mc Dowell, also a businessman in the city, has been a member of the DA since the early 2000s and was part of the 2016 local government elections.