Make your voice heard on August 3

ON August 3, voters will be going to the polls. Democracy does not work like magic. Community participation, commitment and persistence are required to ensure we are treated fairly and respectfully at all times.

Complaining about problems is not enough: vibrant engagement and holding relevant people accountable is the formula to ensure that democracy works. This opportunity to let our voice be heard comes only once in five years. We who are eligible to vote must not let this it slip, because we will have to live with the consequences of our choices for the next five years.

There are serious service delivery challenges in Reservoir Hills and Clare Estate that need to be addressed: crime, the deplorable state of our roads, land invasion, power outages, faulty traffic lights, illegal dumping, the list is endless. We can moan as much as we want, but until we do something about it, the status quo will remain the same.

On August 3, we as ratepayers must vote for a candidate who we believe has the will and capacity to make Reservoir Hills and Clare Estate a better and safer place to live.

We should look for a candidate with a track record of community service and a good work ethic.

Too often we elect candidates on the basis of party loyalty and not what is best for our community.

We should not make this mistake again.

I would like to urge the ratepayers of Reservoir Hills and Clare Estate to do the right thing by voting on Election Day.

Now is the time to make your voice heard! PHILISHA GOVENDER

Clare Estate