Bongiswa Mbele pledges better service delivery in Ward 56

1. What are the three biggest challenges currently facing your ward, and how will you address them?

The three biggest challenges I have identified are poor delivery of basic services, infrastructure collapse, and unemployment.

My first action will be to audit urgent projects that can immediately improve residents’ quality of life.

2. How will you improve basic service delivery such as water, electricity, refuse removal and road maintenance?

In line with the DA manifesto, which promises a municipality that works for all people, I will push for consistent, reliable electricity supply, repairs to old water and sewer infrastructure, and access to health care facilities.

I will track all service-delivery issues, escalate them, and hold the relevant department accountable until they are resolved. Water must flow from taps, lights must stay on, and refuse must be collected regularly.

3. What specific plans do you have to improve community safety and reduce crime in the ward?

I will strengthen my partnership with EMPD, SAPS, CPF, and Community Patrollers in the ward. With their help, we will identify crime hotspots and focus resources on addressing criminality.

Law enforcement agencies must be empowered to catch criminals and provide evidence that will lead to conviction. Safe communities happen when residents and leadership unite and work as a team.

4. How will you ensure that residents are kept informed and involved in decisions affecting the community?

To keep residents informed, and as required by the DA and the municipality, I will hold regular public meetings to provide feedback reports.

I will use social media platforms that allow interaction, because every resident’s voice matters.

5. What will you do to support local businesses, informal traders and job creation in the ward?

To support local businesses and informal traders, I will push for fair access to trading spaces. I will create platforms to train traders in skills they can use to grow their businesses.

Small businesses are important to job creation. What will you do to support local businesses, informal traders and job creation in the ward?

6. How will you improve conditions in informal settlements and underserved areas within the ward?

As a candidate, I have conducted oversight in the ward’s informal settlements. The living conditions are terrible, with very few services provided by the City of Ekurhuleni. The DA believes that all residents deserve access to basic services so they can live in dignified spaces.

Access to water, sanitation, and electricity will be my priority while I work on long-term upgrades. No area in the Ward will be neglected.

7. What is your plan to address infrastructure problems such as potholes, sewage spills, streetlights and illegal dumping?

Beyond infrastructure problems such as potholes, sewage spills, streetlights, and illegal dumping, Ward 56 has neglected government-owned buildings.

As part of the service delivery audit, I will ensure these cases are accurately reported to the correct city and national government departments. I will work closely with officials to ensure proper project management, including staying within budget and on schedule.

I will start improvement projects in areas with illegal dumping. Going forward, Ward 56 will have regular maintenance, not just at election time.

8. How will you ensure municipal funds allocated to the ward are spent transparently and effectively?

I will ensure transparent budgeting, regular reporting and zero tolerance of corruption. Public money must serve people, not politicians.

9. What programmes or initiatives would you introduce for young people, women and vulnerable residents in the community?

I understand the need to provide women and youth with skills and opportunities, as I currently work in that environment.

My mission is to protect the rights of all persons, including older persons and people living with disabilities.

Individual rights are important to me. I believe in teaching people about their rights to dignity, safety, and care. This will empower them to be positive and want a better life for themselves.

10. If elected, how will residents be able to hold you accountable and measure your progress over the next five years?

I have a duty to answer and report to my people. I will hold regular community meetings to share information about the council and their ward.

These meetings will let residents hold me accountable. At the end of 5 years, residents of Ward 56 must be able to point to projects that started and ended within budget.

I want them to remember me as a councillor who included them in planning and implementing projects. I also want them to remember me as a councillor who was present and fought for change in Ward 56.

Caxton Local Media invited Ekurhuleni mayoral candidates, as confirmed at the time of publication, to participate in a question-and-answer interview, giving voters a chance to learn more about their plans, priorities, and hopes for the city ahead of the Local Government Elections on November 4.

The views expressed in these questionnaires are those of the respective candidates and do not represent the views of Caxton Local Media or any of its publications.

The answers are intended solely to provide voters with information about the candidates contesting the election and to help them make informed choices at the polls.