A Ward 132 community meeting, at Waterfall Valley Estate’s Gate 5, drew nearly 200 residents.

Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe described the gathering as an exceptional engagement, saying that the venue was filled to capacity as residents turned out in large numbers to be part of the conversation. One attendee even donated R10 000, reflecting community support for local initiatives.

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“The strong turnout was driven by a genuine desire from residents to engage meaningfully with future leadership and be part of shaping the future of Johannesburg.”

The meeting featured an address by Helen Zille, the Democratic Alliance’s incoming mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. According to Deppe, residents were eager to hear directly how Zille plans to tackle the city’s challenges.

“The opportunity to interact with Helen Zille created significant interest. Residents are eager for change, and they want to hear directly how [Zille] plans to restore good governance and service delivery in the city.”

However, it was the unexpected financial contribution from a resident that stood out as a defining moment.

“This generous contribution is a strong vote of confidence in the work we are doing in Ward 132. It reflects a growing trust from the community and a willingness to invest in positive change.”

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Beyond the donation, residents raised several pressing concerns, particularly around infrastructure, safety, and service delivery failures. Deppe added that accountability within the City of Johannesburg was a major talking point.

“A direct question raised by residents was: What will Helen do to remove corrupt officials and bad apples from within the City of Johannesburg?”

The meeting also incorporated voter registration, with officials from the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa present to assist residents. “It is absolutely vital. Partnering civic engagement with voter registration ensures that residents can immediately translate their concerns into democratic action.”

Deppe said the focus would be on maintaining the momentum generated by the meeting.

“We will continue engaging residents across the ward, expanding our voter registration efforts, and ensuring that the issues raised are actively followed up with the relevant departments. Together, we are building a better Ward 132 and a better Johannesburg.”

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