Getting the basics right
1 What were you doing before being appointed as a councillor that prepared you for the job?
I am currently a student at Rhodes University, and have been for four years. I have held numerous positions of leadership while at Rhodes University and have interacted and led with many people from various social, cultural and racial identities. In doing so, I have gained a wide understanding of concerns and issues which students in particular face on a daily basis. While a student at Rhodes, I have also committed myself to various community upliftment projects, all through various societies and entities on campus. All my efforts testify to my utmost commitment to and passion for serving others and building a better South Africa.
2 What issues concern you the most about your ward?
• Most pertinent is infrastructural maintenance and development. This includes infrastructure in connection with sewerage works, electricity and water supply as well as the general condition of roads and municipal structures; • The safety of students both on and off campus; • The role of the municipality in student issues, such as accommodation, funding and transportation; and • The opportunities for residents to interact and communicate with the ward councillor.
3. What will be your strategy over the next five years to tackle them?
I believe it would be important for me to ensure that we adopt budgets which ultimately prioritise the needs of the community and more specifically, the needs of the residents of Ward 12, which I represent.
A budget which focuses on service delivery and municipal employees, who are competent and skilled in their work, ultimately ensures that the ba- sics are done right.
While I understand that the Municipality is currently experiencing serious financial constraints, I will look into means of accommodating tertiary students where possible.
This includes, for example, looking into the viability of a public transport system as well as cost-effective accommodation facilities for students. Furthermore, I will also look into setting up a community safety forum, which allows for greater interaction and communication with the police as well as a Ward 12 committee which ensure that, through myself as the councillor, there is transparency and representation on council matters.
Cell: 079 514 2965