Thavha Maifala-Masebe reflects on a decade of service to Brackenhurst and Brackendowns

Since August 2016, I have had the privilege of serving as the ward councillor for Brackenhurst and Brackendowns.

Although a part of me felt out of place being entrusted with such a great responsibility, I knew my passion for service would guide me well.

As I reflect on my journey over the past decade, I am thankful to my political party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), for placing their trust in me.

I also want to thank the residents, the vast majority of whom continue to support the party. It is through your backing that I was able to serve to the best of my ability.

From the start, my goal was to work alongside residents to build a stronger, more united community. Beyond the everyday duties expected of a councillor, I was grounded by the desire to empower the community while finding solutions to make government systems function more effectively.

As my term comes to an end, I am mindful of following in the footsteps of figures like Maureen Ansette, the late former councillor of Ward 38, which included Meyersdal during her tenure.

I held great admiration for her dedication to community work.

It was through her that I met Thomas Badenhorst, a gentleman whose passion for improved governance and expectation of excellence from councillors greatly inspired me.

At the start of my tenure, I valued the conversations we shared.

Even with the best intentions, I did not get everything right. Looking back, I ask myself whether I should have handled certain matters differently or if personal ambition ever interfered with serving residents. These reflections kept me grounded throughout my time in office.

For some, I may have seemed aloof and unapproachable, while others found joy in working alongside me. Whichever view you hold, I accept it as a reflection of your personal experience interacting with me.

To those who felt I was unapproachable or unhelpful, I sincerely apologise. It was never my intention to let you down or cause you to doubt the DA’s ability to govern effectively. If anything, achieving better governance depends on the success of the DA in Ekurhuleni.

To those who took the time to work closely with me, thank you for your active role in building a community we can take pride in. We did not always agree on every issue, but I appreciated our honest exchanges.

Whether I was a good councillor is for you to decide. My only hope is that you appreciate that I consistently strove to give my best. I was always driven by the belief that dedicated effort can improve lives and local experiences.

It was a great pleasure to introduce the first Brackenhurst and Brackendowns Residents’ Association and the inaugural Bracken Family Fun Day.

Although the residents’ association ceased operating around 2022, I always hoped it would continue.

On governmental responsibilities, the police station property is currently in the process of being fully transferred to national government. This milestone was no minor achievement, as it paves the way to equipping Brackendowns SAPS with the resources required to keep the community safe.

My hope is that the incoming councillor will continue driving forward the vision of a fully resourced police station equipped to fight crime effectively.

Relentlessly pursued for 10 years, the project to upgrade local sewer infrastructure is now closer to reality. Beyond delivering infrastructure, building a true partnership with residents remained central to my role, which is why I prioritised regular public meetings.

It was an honour to work with every resident — both those who voiced their frustration and those with whom I shared a meal. I was also privileged to collaborate with the CPF, private security companies, municipal departments, SAPS, and various civic organisations.

Clr Thavha Maifala-Masebe