Latest news with #JohnnyArends
The Herald
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Much at stake in how you cast your vote
And so it starts. In just over a year's time, South Africans will vote in the 2026 local government polls , the country's seventh such election since the dawn of democracy. This week, Nelson Mandela Bay got a taste of what's to come. In what was widely viewed as a litmus test ahead of next year's elections, residents in the Bay's Ward 34 went to the polls on Wednesday in a by-election after the death of DA councillor Johnny Arends in April. While six parties contested, including the National Alliance, ANC, EFF and PAC, the PA and DA were seen as the front-runners in what was expected to be a hotly contested election. In the end, it was just 188 votes that separated the two, with the DA securing 2,382 votes (46.56%) to beat the PA with its 2,194 votes (42.89%). In the 2021 local government elections, the DA won the ward with 63.14% of the votes, followed by the National Alliance (17.12%) and PA (2.78%). So what, you might ask? For those who do not fully understand the difference between the national and municipal elections , these are the elections that determine who will represent us at a grassroots level, possibly for the next five years if there are no by-elections in between. These are the ward councillors, in particular, who will take our concerns — literally from our streets — and place it on the municipal agenda. Our first port of call as citizens as far as service delivery is concerned, these are the councillors — we hope — who will ensure our concerns are addressed. As we edge closer to next year's elections, we expect the campaigning of the past three months in this ward will only intensify as parties vie for the support of voters — and spread to other wards across the Bay. And as they campaign, remember this: the outcome of these municipal elections have the most immediate and visible impact on our daily lives, from the overgrown grass in our parks, to the street lights lining our roads and so much else in between. Take the time over the next few months to understand what political parties offer and reflect on what they have already delivered — or not — as you decide who deserves your vote. But, whatever you do, just vote. The Herald
The Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Ward 34 winner must hit ground running, fix street lights — voters
Residents of Nelson Mandela Bay's Ward 34 want the new councillor elected after a crucial by-election on Wednesday to ensure broken street lights are repaired to stop rampant criminality. They were voicing their concerns at two of the four voting stations in the battleground northern areas ward as they waited to cast their ballots during special voting. The PA and the DA are seen as the front-runners in what is expected to be a hotly contested by-election described as a litmus test in the metro ahead of the 2026 local government polls. On Tuesday, Bethelsdorp, where the DA and PA established their operational centres, was abuzz with activity. Vehicles were covered in party stickers. Others blared loud music from speakers, creating a lively atmosphere. Outside the voting stations, parties such as the National Alliance, ANC and EFF set up gazebos, adding to the vibrant scene. Despite fielding a candidate to contest the ward, the PAC was absent. The ward became vacant after the death of DA councillor Johnny Arends in a car accident on the R75 in April. Arcadia resident Eric Gallant said he wanted the elected candidate to tackle some of the urgent service delivery issues in the area. 'The street lights that are not working deem our community unsafe. 'Now that it's winter, it gets dark earlier than usual, and it becomes unsafe to walk the streets,' Gallant said. 'Our other major issue is the overflowing sewerage drains, leading to our pothole-ridden streets being flooded by smelly water. 'All these issues were long reported, but nothing was done. 'I would send a message to the councillor, and he would read messages and not respond, so I hope the new person will be more in touch with the residents.' West End resident Jennifer Jacobs said street lights and poor road infrastructure were a big problem. 'The roads in Arcadia are in a bad state. 'Our other issue is darkness. There are street lights that have not been working for years. 'This makes our community a dangerous place. Previously, I could walk from my house to the nearby service station to buy electricity in the late afternoon, but I cannot now because it's unsafe. 'You can't see who's coming in front of you unless there's a car approaching.' DA provincial leader Andrew Whitfield said the party had run the best campaign to ensure it retained the ward. 'We've learnt a lot over a series of by-elections around the country, and we've put all that knowledge into practice. 'We're hoping for a win, and we're confident that we've done everything possible to achieve that result. 'We will do everything we can to defend Johnny Arends' legacy, and that starts with winning this ward.' Whitfield dismissed claims by political commentators predicting a PA victory in the ward, saying such analyses were often inaccurate. In the 2021 local government elections, the DA won the ward with 63.14% of the votes, followed by the National Alliance (17.12%) and PA (2.78%). The Herald
The Herald
05-06-2025
- General
- The Herald
Councillors pay tribute to three of their own who died recently
Nelson Mandela Bay councillors sang the praise of three of their deceased counterparts in tributes ahead of council proceedings on Thursday. The families of ANC Ward 23 councillor Nosithembiso Mayekiso, ANC Ward 57 councillor Thembinkosi Maswana and DA Ward 34 councillor Johnny Arends attended. Maswana died on April 9, Arends on April 27 and Mayekiso on May 16. Speaker Eugene Johnson, council chief whip Wandisile Jikeka and mayor Babalwa Lobishe removed their chairs, which had been draped in black cloth. It was replaced with framed photos and flowers. Lobishe thanked the families for attending. 'We appreciate that you took the time to come to our council meeting to remove their seats,' Lobishe said. 'This is not an easy process. We want you to know you are always in our prayers. 'We shall continue the work they left behind. 'These councillors left a remarkable legacy and will always be honoured and remembered.' DA councillor Tyron Adams shared his condolences to the Arends family on behalf of the DA. 'We would like to relay our deepest gratitude to the Arends family for lending us one of their own. 'His legacy will continue to live in hearts and minds. He was an agent of change. 'On many nights, he left his home to serve the people of his ward without complaining. 'The person who replaced him must know they will be occupying a revolutionary's seat.' EFF councillor Zanele Sikawuti offered words of comfort to the families. 'This is not an easy time. Mayekiso and Maswana were people we loved as councillors, and it became evident, especially with Mayekiso, as I shared a personal relationship with her. 'Her warmth showed she came from a loving family, and I can only imagine what her loved ones are going through. 'We thank the families for lending us their own, they represented you, their families, with pride in society.' The ACDP's Marianne Lotter said that as someone who recently lost her mother, she understood how deep the pain of losing a loved one runs. 'All I can say is there's no manual for grief, but in the process of saying goodbye, thank God for their lives. 'And as you continue with life, may you keep good memories of your loved ones in your hearts.' The Herald
The South African
29-04-2025
- The South African
Deadly R75 claims more lives in Gqeberha as crashes continue
Deadly accidents on Gqeberha's R75 road claim four lives in just one week. Image: Monsterkoi/Pixabay The R75 in Gqeberha is fast becoming one of the city's deadliest roads after a spate of recent accidents claimed four lives in just over a week. DEADLY R75 CRASHES On Saturday morning, 26 April, a pedestrian was hit by an Isuzu while crossing the R75 near Despatch. According to a SAPS media statement, the woman was rushed to the hospital. She later died from her injuries. Police have opened a culpable homicide case and are investigating. Just hours earlier, on Friday night, 25 April, a devastating head-on collision on the same road killed two drivers instantly. A grey Hyundai and a silver Suzuki crashed near the Bayland intersection at around 23:20. The victims were aged 62 and 52. One of the drivers was identified as long-serving Nelson Mandela Bay councillor, Johnny Arends. According to a media statement released by the DA, Arends was elected as a DA councillor in 2011 and was a party stalwart. 'He was a steadfast presence, passionate, resilient, and caring, with an unwavering work ethic in his service to the people of Ward 34, which he served as ward councillor.' GQEBERHA PEDESTRIAN HIT ON R75 These latest incidents follow a fatal crash on 17 April at the intersection of the R75 and Johnson Road in Zwide. A maroon Renault Kwid overturned, crashed through a school fence, and hit a pedestrian. The unidentified man, believed to be between 55 and 60, died at the scene. Police are still appealing to the public for help identifying him. What more do you think should be done to improve road safety? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
