With less than a month to go before Benoni residents head to the voting stations to cast their votes in the 2026 Local Elections, ward councillor candidates were invited to share their visions for their wards.

As part of Benoni City Times’ commitment to voter education ahead of the November 4 elections, the publication invited all political party candidates via its social media platforms to share their views in 150 words or less.

We have included only submissions received by our deadline of noon on October 1, and published them in numerical order by ward demarcations.

Kathleen Matthews, Democratic Alliance (DA), Ward 23

Ward 23 is a very diverse ward, made up of three Client Care Centres (CCC), namely Benoni, Boksburg and Kempton Park.

Suburbs include Atlasville, Brentwood Park AH, Bonaero Park, Caro Nome AH, Goedeburg, Parkhaven and Pomona.

My vision for the ward is to be available to all residents, listen to their concerns and identify the most urgent needs in each area.

I will fight for basic services, infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, safer streets and open spaces.

I will communicate transparently and get involved in community upliftment projects.

I am honoured to be selected to represent this ward and promise to do so to the best of my abilities.

I look forward to working with the residents to make our ward a safer and better place to live!

Charles Fulton, Democratic Alliance (DA), Ward 25

My vision is to build a ward where every resident is heard, informed and properly represented.

I want to be a strong, reliable voice of communication between our community and the City of Ekurhuleni, ensuring residents’ concerns are acknowledged and addressed.

I will work tirelessly for improved roads, reliable street lighting and the consistent delivery of essential basic services.

Together, we can create a safer, cleaner, and better-managed ward—one where residents are kept informed, municipal officials are held accountable, and our community’s needs always come first.

Lornette Joseph, Democratic Alliance (DA), Ward 27

My vision is simple.

To continue building a ward where residents feel heard, supported and valued.

For the past six years, I have had the privilege of serving this community, and I have learned that being a councillor is about far more than attending meetings.

It is about being present, listening to residents, fighting for service delivery and standing up when things are not right.

My priorities are clear: reliable electricity, fixing our water and sewer infrastructure, better roads and stormwater systems and a safer community.

As the ward grows, I also look forward to welcoming the new areas joining us from Wards 23 and 24, bringing every resident under my commitment to service, accountability and care.

I believe in leading with heart.

I want to finish what I started and continue building a stronger, safer, cleaner and more connected community, a place to be proud of and a ward that works for all.

Mary Goby, Democratic Alliance (DA), Ward 28

I was born and raised in Benoni, and this has always been home to me.

I know our community, and I care about what happens here.

Since 2020, I have listened to residents’ concerns, dealt with problems, and pushed where I can to get things done.

I have fought for safer streets, better roads, clean parks, responsible development and better service delivery.

It’s not easy, but I believe you have to keep pushing, keep asking questions and keep standing up for the people you represent.

Ward 28 is growing, and Airfield and parts of Farrarmere are now joining the ward; it means more residents, more challenges and more work ahead.

I am ready to keep doing the work and to serve every part of our ward, its residents, families and businesses.

This is my home, and I want to make sure it is a place we can be proud of.

Thembinkosi Zwane, Democratic Alliance (DA), Ward 29

My vision for Ward 29 is the regular maintenance of the municipal flats.

These units are in dire straits; the infrastructure is collapsing, and our residents are living in inhumane conditions.

Improved service delivery is also at the top of my agenda, including regular grass cutting in parks, timely pothole repairs, uninterrupted power supply, and reopening the municipal swimming pool for recreational activities.

I will also focus on clean-up campaigns for the hostel, eMandleni and Harry Gwala. Our residents deserve to live in clean environments and our kids should not be exposed to dangerous and unsafe playing areas.

Our town has many issues, and I promise to do my best at all times. I am not a magician, but I will try.

Songezile Ngezi Simandla, Democratic Alliance (DA), Ward 30

Ward 30 has experienced ongoing challenges with basic service delivery and our community deserves leadership that listens, responds, and takes action.

Residents elected me to serve on the ward committee, where I work alongside our DA councillor in Ward 31.

Through this experience, I gained five years of practical knowledge in serving my community and addressing residents’ concerns.

I have been given a mandate to step up and fight for our ward.

My priorities include water, electricity, potholes, sports and recreation facilities and opportunities for our youth.

Our young people deserve access to community facilities and spaces where they can grow, develop their talents and participate in sport.

On 4 November, I call on residents to go out in numbers and make their voices heard.

Vote for a representative and party that works for all.

Sibongile Prudence Mazibuko-Ndhlovu, Democratic Alliance (DA), Ward 73

My vision for Ward 73 is simple: to create a community where residents feel heard, safe, respected and proud to call home.

I want a cleaner, safer, better-maintained ward where basic services work, infrastructure is protected, and problems are addressed before they become crises.

My priorities include securing electricity infrastructure, tackling illegally hijacked buildings and houses and getting our roads fixed.

These issues directly affect residents’ safety, dignity, and quality of life.

Our children and young people deserve safe spaces and opportunities to learn, play and build their futures.

I want to strengthen partnerships with residents, businesses, community organisations, and local leaders.

Most importantly, leadership must be visible and accountable.

I want to listen, raise residents’ concerns and follow through until there is action.

Our ward deserves leadership where community comes first, and action speaks louder than promises.

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