Ward 26 has over 60 candidates vying for the councillor position leading up to the Local Government Election 2026 on November 4. Seen as the tourist hub, the beachfront presents hope, but not for all. One car guard still hasn’t decided whether to vote.

Phila Thwala, 34, has been a car guard for the past two years, an identifiable character along North Beach’s O.R. Tambo Parade. His character is unique; he commands order and his leadership attributes shine, as he shouts and paces all day. His colleagues toe the line in his presence.

“Voting is the right thing to do. However, personally, I am not excited about it. I have voted several times before, and my life has not changed. I have seen no benefits of casting my vote. Political parties have not kept their promises,” Thwala said.

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He reckons, “I wish the incoming councillor can prioritise self-employed people like us, including street vendors here in the beachfront. We are not criminals; we work hard to pay rent, support families, food and clothing, and yes, for some entertainment. It is our only source of income, but we face regular challenges.

“The most important thing is the permits we need to work here. The municipality has been stalling to give us permits; we are often told that there is a long list, and we should wait. Years pass, but we still operate without permits. This creates problems because the Metro police can remove us anytime,” Thwala added.

He pleaded with the next Ward 26 councillor to expedite the matter of permits. The father of two arrived in Durban in 2013 from Mtubatuba after his Business Management diploma at Mthashana TVET in Nongoma. He worked at the Department of Education on Stanger Street, as part of his internship.

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“After my internship, I worked at one company here in Durban; it was not a permanent job. A year later, I have been self-employed,” Thwala said.

Thwala has been car guarding in Ward 26, near Elangeni Hotel for over a year now, after moving around different spots, and better jobs proving difficult to secure.

He admits that his job can be rewarding but the income flow is not consistent, making it difficult for him to plan his next steps to upgrade himself. “I have a plan intact, by the beginning of 2027 I hope I will be able to put it into action. This job is not safe, we are always alert because anything can happen anytime. It may look like I am enjoying this job but it feels like home because I have no other option for now.

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“There is upside about working in this spot though, there are events happening at the beachfront every now and then, hotels host guests, and conferences. This boosts my pockets.”

Thwala concluded that he is registered to vote, but only time will tell if he gives the new administration another chance, and put an X on November 4.

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