FORMER Ward 26 PR councillor Sharmaine Sewshanker from the DA has scooped the seat of councillor, formerly occupied by Sibusiso Lushaba from the ANC. Her rival at the LG 2026 polls was Nolwazi Mkhize-Mtambo of the MKP.

Sewshanker is set to lead a ward highly vibrant in tourism, the South and North Beach and Point. She has been actively involved in community service delivery, and the community hopes her efforts will continue as she joins the higher ranks of the eThekwini City Council.

“Being voted as a councillor is a great achievement but does not make much of a difference, as I have been in Ward 26 as a PR councillor. I am mindful that the work is gonna intensify now more than it did in the past five years. I am excited to take over the role,” Sewshanker said.

Also read: How the wards voted: Zero support for 15 parties in Ward 27

Regarding the multimillion-rand investments reportedly set for the redevelopment of the Durban beachfront, Sewshanker said she is for the investment and redevelopment, citing that the beachfront is in real need of an upgrade after Covid, the 2021 riots, and E. coli and floods.

“I am looking forward to the next five years as ‘the Gods have spoken’. We are gonna have this redevelopment, translating into new jobs and more investments.”

On the sewer and water issues, she highlights that this time around they are wiser and would be able to tackle such issues with fresher eyes.

One pressing issue in Ward 26 is the rampant presence of the homeless. Sewshanker acknowledged that it is a major problem.
“Especially with the Covid tents, it has become a contentious issue with the residents. I think with the stalling of the Illovo homeless facility, we need to make a plan. We need to rush that up and put pressure on the relevant departments to get the tents relocated. Homelessness has become a pandemic on the beachfront. Going back to Council, we will need to take drastic steps to find a sustainable solution to contain, rehabilitate, possibly reunify, and help the homeless get back on their feet.”

Car theft in North and South Beach has been on the rise in recent months. Sewshanker admitted that such crime is prevalent in the area due to the visitors who often “drop their guard when they come to the beachfront”.

She said, “We will need to step up our patrols. Together with the CPF, SAPS, and Metro Police, we need to create a plan on how to have visible policing. More boots on the ground. We need to make locals and tourists feel safe.”

One more unabated matter is that of sex workers making a ruckus on the beachfront. “I have raised this matter in the CPF meetings before. It seems like there is a market for this industry here, given the hotels and tourists spots. If we reduce the demand, we will circumvent the prevalence of the sex workers,” Sewshanker said.

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