Latest news with #Ward34
The Herald
5 days ago
- 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
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Battle for northern areas support
News DA and PA seen as front-runners in tightly contested Ward 34 by-election on Wednesday Premium By Andisa Bonani - 15 July 2025 The battle for the northern areas begins on Wednesday, as residents of Ward 34 head to the polls for a by-election widely viewed as a litmus test ahead of the 2026 local government elections. It will also be a test for the Patriotic Alliance (PA), which has been making inroads in coloured wards across SA...
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Fetakgomo Tubatse councillor laid to rest
Scores of mourners converged at Bogalatladi Village in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality on Saturday to pay their last respects to the late Ward 34 councillor, Makgalema Lennox Thobela. Thobela championed development in the area and was elected as the ward councillor in the 2019 and 2021 local government He was described as a dedicated community member who strived to improve the lives of people, especially the youth. Thobela also served as the chairperson of Infrastructure Development and Technical Services in the local municipality, and was the ANC's Magate Thomas Kupa branch's deputy secretary. Sekhukhune District Municipality Executive Mayor Minah Bahula delivered an eulogy on behalf of the government. FTLM Mayor Eddie Maila said Thobela served communities with pride and compassion, 'His leadership was evident in the oversight played in the implementation of infrastructural projects. He will be remembered for his commitment to development, his co-operation with fellow councillors, and his passion for sport,' said Maila. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Herald
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
DA and PA name candidates for Ward 34 by-election battle
The DA and the Patriotic Alliance in Nelson Mandela Bay will be going head to head as both parties field candidates for the upcoming Ward 34 by-elections in July. On Monday, the DA announced Annelize Stanley as its candidate and the PA named Geraldine Vaaltyn as its candidate. Residents will take to the polls on July 16 to vote for their councillor of choice. The DA aims to retain the ward, which became vacant after the death of DA councillor Johnny Arends, who died in a car accident on the R75 in April. PA regional chair Bradley Murray said Vaaltyn was announced earlier in 2025 as the party's candidate for the ward for the 2026 local government elections. 'We're sticking to our plan ,' he said. 'Geraldine has always been somebody that's been on the ground. 'Even before she joined the PA, she was somebody that would attend to the elderly in the ward, she used to come take their blood pressure and help them get their medicines. 'From that, she used to report blocked drains, potholes, sewage, which is a bigger challenge in Ward 34. 'She's a people's person and we believe that Geraldine brings the heart into politics,' he said. Murray said the PA was coming for a win and had knocked on every door. 'The DA has been running that ward for more than 20 years and the people are still struggling with the same challenges. 'The main roads are still looking like they were when it was apartheid time, when our people were chucked in that ward. 'So after 20 years, the DA has really not done anything other than just collect the seed because they never had any party that could challenge them for that ward,' Murray said. DA Eastern Cape chair Yusuf Cassim said Stanley emerged as the candidate after recommendations from the party's selection panel and pending the outcome of the appeals process. Cassim said Stanley had lived in the ward for more than two decades and described her as a dedicated servant of Arcadia, Sanctor, Salsoneville and West End. 'She has a proven record of meaningful community engagement with a focus on fighting crime and rehabilitating former gang members, assisting with issues at local clinics, distributing food, and is a dedicated DA activist. 'Annelize is also a member of the Ward 34 ward committee. She has a clear understanding of the challenges and aspirations of the residents of Ward 34,' he said. Cassim said the DA was confident in Stanley's ability to meet the demands of the role of councillor and to serve the residents of Ward 34 with distinction. The Herald
