The Heraut invited political parties to submit information on candidates contesting wards in the Heidelberg and Nigel areas. The profiles are based on information supplied by the respective candidates.

The profiles are intended solely to provide voters with information about the candidates contesting the election and to help them make informed choices at the polls.

The views expressed in these answers are those of the respective candidates and do not represent the views of Caxton Local Media or any of the publications. Not all parties responded by the submission deadline.

---

Xolani Maduna, Ward: 1, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Safety and Security.

2. Safe neighbourhoods.

3. A brighter future for our children.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I am the x-factor, young, ambitious, a visionary committee member of the community.

Rich experience in various community and public service organisations.

Voted CPF of the Year for several years and regarded as a young good asset.

---

Sebeloane Morena, Ward: 1, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Establishment or improvement of a primary school

Education is the foundation of a better future. Ward 1 needs access to quality and reliable primary education for its children.
2. Access to a clinic and healthcare services.

Access to healthcare is essential for every family. Residents should be able to access basic healthcare services without unnecessary travel or long delays.

3. Electricity problems and water billing

Reliable electricity and fair, accurate water billing are essential for the dignity and well-being of residents.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Sebeloane Morena is committed to serving the people of Ward 1 by promoting community development, improving service delivery, fighting crime, and addressing the social challenges affecting residents.

The candidate believes in putting the needs of the community first, listening to residents, and working together with relevant government departments, community organisations, and local stakeholders to build a safer, healthier, and more developed ward.

The vision is to create a community where every resident has access to essential services, children have opportunities to learn, families feel safe, and local problems are addressed with accountability and urgency.

---

Juliet Moloi, Ward: 2, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Human Resources.

2. Equal opportunities through education and placement.

3. Support for our school and learners.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I am a qualified human resource officer.

I know where my roots are and want to make a difference.

I want to be part and promote change in our community for the good.

---

Jeremiah Lekala, Ward: 2, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Reliable basic services: water, lights, and roads.

2. Jobs, youth and safety: SMMEs, bursaries, and sports.

3. Clean governance: No corruption, and regular community report-backs.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I care deeply for Ratanda – my home, my community.

Servant of the people – not a tenderpreneur – to residents.

Accessible and honest – building self reliance and local economy.

---

Ben Vengetas, Ward: 4, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Communications.

2. Bridge the gap of joblessness through skills development and sport.

3. Support and communicate through sport development.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

With me actions, speak louder than words with willingness to lead.

I am the chairman of the Lesedi Amateur Boxing Association.

I am actively developing amateurs to become professional athletes and helping them build sustainable careers in sport.

---

Bontle Mogorosi, Ward: 5, Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Rehabilitation of the community hall and sports facilities: To upgrade and reopen the community hall for public use and restore youth access to the sporting grounds.

2. Revival of the community farming initiative: To reinstate the organic farming project to improve local food security and create employment opportunities for residents within the ward.

3. Relocation of livestock from residential areas: To remove livestock currently kept near residential properties, as this poses a serious health and safety risk to residents and children.

* The candidate did not provide a response to the second question.

---

Vusi Mkhwanazi, Ward: 5, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Social Development.

2. Activation of social development in communities.

3. Fighting poverty and social inequality.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I did work for 10 years in the community health clinic environment.

I am an experienced facilitator in the social development field for the last five years.

I have been the deputy chairman of the Lesedi Civil Society and the chairman for Lesedi Men’s Health Sector.

---

Brilliant Tshepo Mokonane, Ward: 5, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

As the Communist Party we believe in reliability, transparency, accountability, accessible and healthy communities.

When I get elected as a ward councillor, I would prioritise young people. Help in developing and making sure that job opportunities are available to them.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

In our ward we used to have a outreach centre, where young people could empower themselves through short courses that were available at the centre. We have a library, hall and sport ground that is not being used mainly because it’s not taken care of.

When I get elected as a ward councillor, I will make sure that sport and recreation becomes available.

I believe our people are being overcharged on rates and most are unemployed, that is another issue I will need to sort out.

---

Brett Hutcheson, Ward: 6, Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

Efficient service delivery: I will push for faster maintenance turnarounds and streamlined municipal processes.

Safer communities: I will strengthen cooperation with local security stakeholders and champion practical, community-led safety initiatives.

Agriculture growth: I will fight to protect rural jobs and strengthen local food security.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

A councillor who walk with you. I am not here to make promises I cannot keep. I am here to make a commitment I can honour: to be present, to listen, and to serve.

Throughout my term, I will walk alongside our community, listen to your concerns, stand with you in challenging times, and work with you to find practical solutions to the issues that affect our daily lives.

Your councillor. Your voice. Your community. Together we can!

---

Ken Carikas, Ward: 6, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Finances.

2. Accountability and moral values are important.

3. Manage debt collection more efficiently as Lesedi has a R11.6b deficit in collections.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I bring a truckload full of experience in debt collections.

Chairman of Sedaven Retirement Village.

What you see is what you get, result driven and the same mistakes over and over like Lesedi administration.

---

Solomon Mgcina, Ward: 6, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

Decent work place environment and livelihood.

Land and food security.

Youth empowerment.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I’m a pastor and a community builder who started to be politically active since my youth in the place called “Mammello” in Vaal Marine.

I have been a shop steward for over five years in office under NUMSA, and a philanthropist who hands out sanitary pads for the duration of six years during Youth Month.

And I will be guided by the manifesto of SACP.

---

Grace Kekana, Ward: 7, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Religious Affairs.

2. Faith builds stronger communities.

3. Community upliftment and bringing back moral values.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I am a qualified community health worker and a director in a company since 2019.

In this PA family, we put God first.

Striving with moral values to a brighter future.

I have been actively involved in my church and have enjoyed serving in a leadership role for the past two years.

---

Joyce Phahlane, Ward: 7, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. I will advocate for the elderly residents and pensioners who are struggling with municipal taxes as I will work to ensure that they are assisted to find affordable and reasonable payment arrangements.

2. As the SACP rallies for a cleaner environment, I will work towards addressing littering and improving cleanliness.

I will also support effective use of EPWP/CPWP workers so that available community-cleaning resources are actively used to keep our surroundings clean.

3. Fair follow-up on RDP housing applications: Residents who have applied for RDP houses deserve proper communication about the progress of their applications.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I’m a former ward councillor who brings experience in serving the community.

I understand the challenges faced by residents and will use my experience to ensure that community concerns are raised, followed up and addressed timeously.

I will adopt SACP policies to focus on practical issues affecting residents, including municipal challenges, cleanliness and housing applications, while ensuring that residents receive proper communication and follow-ups.

---

Yvonne Combrinck, Ward: 8, Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

My top three priorities are reliable basic services, safer communities and accountable local government.

I will continue to represent residents by taking service delivery failures and community concerns into council, demanding answers and monitoring whether commitments are implemented.

I will work to strengthen cooperation between residents, SAPS and community safety structures, while supporting local initiatives that make Ward 8 a better place to live and work.

I also want greater transparency, responsible financial management and an environment where local businesses and investment can grow.

My role is to represent, scrutinise, advocate and hold the municipality accountable.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Since taking office after the May 2023 by-election, I’ve made it a priority to keep Ward 8 residents informed, particularly during water, electricity and other service delivery failures.

I’ve consistently followed up with the municipality, raised residents’ concerns in council and pressed for answers – even when obtaining feedback from municipal management has been difficult.

I’m still learning every day what it takes to be a great councillor, but one thing residents can bank on is that I’ll never stop standing up and fighting for them.

I believe residents deserve a councillor who keeps showing up and doesn’t stop asking questions.

---

Bouwe Wiersma, Ward: 8, Party: Patriotic Alliance (mayoral candidate)

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Justice.

2. PA mayoral candidate ensuring accountability.

3. Abahambe corruption and bad governance.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Attorney and conveyancer with more than 30 years’ experience.

Ensure accountability and transparency of the council and Lesedi Administration.

Putting Lesedi first in Sedibeng, promote development of K168, unlock tourism potential, working towards growth and creating job opportunities.

---

Teboho Bonginkosi Hlahane, Ward: 8, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

My first priority is reliable basic services. I want residents to receive proper responses when they report problems with water, electricity, roads, sanitation, waste collection and other municipal services.

My second priority is creating economic opportunities by supporting local businesses, entrepreneurs and young people who want to work and build sustainable businesses.

My third priority is accountability. I want to be a councillor who is accessible, communicates regularly with residents and follows up on issues until there is a response.

I believe Ward 8 needs representation that listens, acts and reports back to the community.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I am an entrepreneur and I understand that progress requires more than promises, it requires planning, persistence and taking responsibility.

I have built my business from the ground up and understand the challenges faced by small businesses and ordinary working people.

I want to bring that practical experience into public service.

If elected, I will make myself accessible to residents, listen to their concerns and ensure that those concerns are properly taken forward within the municipality.

My commitment is to serve Ward 8 with transparency, discipline and accountability, while working to create opportunities for our community.

---

Francois Daniël Beukes, Ward: 9, Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

My priorities are simple: reliable services, functioning infrastructure, responsible financial management, and communication to the constituency.

Reliable services: I will demand accountability, consistent service delivery and value for every rand spent.

Fix our infrastructure: I will support an independent assessment of our infrastructure, followed by a properly funded repairs and maintenance plan that is implemented and monitored.

Financial stability: I will support a realistic recovery strategy focused on reducing debt, cutting wasteful expenditure and ensuring spending is properly budgeted and funded.

Ward 9 deserves action, accountability and value for money.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Residents should vote for me because I bring 40 years of experience in local government, having served with both the City of Tshwane and the City of Johannesburg.

I understand how municipalities operate and what is required to deliver effective services.

My approach is practical: reliable municipal services, functioning infrastructure, responsible financial management and regular communication with my constituency.

I will hold the municipality accountable, ask difficult questions, monitor commitments and ensure residents’ concerns are heard.
I offer experience, accountability and a commitment to getting things done for Ward 9.

---

Steven Meiklejohn, Ward: 9, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Law and Order.

2. Changing the righteousness mentality of Lesedi Administration.

3. Improve risk management at Lesedi.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Major with long service record previously with the SANDF.

Qualified attorney, independent practicing for the last 15 years.

Add value as a qualified electrician.

---

Nomagugu Mdhluli, Ward: 9, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Improved service delivery: Ensure reliable access to water, electricity, proper roads, sanitation, waste collection, and well-maintained public facilities.

2. Fighting corruption and promoting transparency: As a new candidate, I plan to partake in promoting accountability in municipal spending, fight corruption, and ensure that public resources benefit the community.

3. Community development and empowerment: I plan to facilitate and be involved in programmes for youth and women, support local businesses, address unemployment, and ensure that residents’ voices are heard in municipal decision-making.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

My commitment is to serve with integrity, remain accessible to the community. My plan is to approach this endeavour from more of a human perspective rather than a heavily political one.

I strive for expressing more empathy when dealing with issues.

---

Georgia Phillips, Ward: 10, Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

Dignified housing, especially for the elderly in our informal settlements.

Reliable electricity – some areas are off every second day hurting learners’ home business.

Roads – gravel roads need to be tarred and potholes fixed.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I have a proven track record. I am always present, I listen, and I act, always on the ground for residents, even as opposition.

If you vote DA and we win, I can do more than oversight.

I can deliver with a government that listens and cares.

---

Sibu de Jesus, Ward: 10, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Skills Development.

2. Harnessing entrepreneurial spirit in the upliftment and development in Lesedi.

3. Creating opportunities in skill development.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Respected family and community involvement.

Ambitious, wanting to be part of the solution rather merely cursing of the problem.

Gets the job done or ensuring skills are available.

---

Archie Mokonane, Ward: 10, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Reliable water, electricity and roads: public audits of infrastructure, planned maintenance and rapid-response repair teams, so taps and streetlights work and fight against crime.

2. Decent work for local people, especially youth: support for co-operatives, apprenticeships and insourcing of municipal services such as security and cleaning.

3. An accountable ward: open books on every contract, regular ward assemblies and monthly report-backs, so every rand is traceable and residents have a real say.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I have served this community for over three decades: teacher, manager of Tswinyane adult education centre for 24 years, Lesedi councillor and MMC for Corporate Services, and licensing manager who delivered a R5m revenue increase across four Sedibeng centres.

I have been director in the Office of the Executive Mayor and now in the Office of the Speaker at Sedibeng, and I have led the SACP in the Vaal and in Lesedi.

I will report back monthly, disclose my interests, refuse gifts, fight against crime and fight for jobs and water that flows. Judge me by what I do.

---

Sipho Petrus Mofokeng, Ward: 11, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Sport.

2. Incorporating sport in upliftment of the community.

3. Safety first in community patrolling participation.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Disciplined professional boxer known as “Action Attraction”.

Brings dedication and energy uplifting the community.

For me, loyalty and accountability create opportunities for a strong return on investment.

---

Nomatjoi Roselinah Xaba, Ward: 11, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

Water and electricity: Address constant service interruptions in Ext 26, repair leaking water pipes and ensure that prepaid meters are installed and maintained where required.

Housing and title deeds: Fast-track the processing and issuing of RDP title deeds for qualifying residents in Ext 26.

Roads and stormwater: Repair damaged roads and improve stormwater drainage to make the ward safer and more accessible.

Youth employment: Create and expand opportunities through EPWP, CWP and learnership programmes, particularly for unemployed young people.

Clean Ward Programme: Support regular clean-up activities and encourage residents to work together to keep the ward clean and healthy.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

As a community activist, I’m committed to remaining accessible to residents and working for service delivery rather than personal interests.

I propose a monthly ward meeting be held at the Multipurpose Hall serving Exts 23/26.

These meetings would provide a platform for residents to raise concerns, receive feedback and monitor progress on issues affecting the ward.

Community concerns and progress should be reported back to residents regularly.

I believe that transparent, accountable and community-centred leadership is essential.

Our community deserves reliable basic services, decent infrastructure, opportunities for young people and proper accountability in the use of public resources.

---

Costa Solomou, Ward: 12, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Agriculture.

2. Promote valuable supply chain management in agriculture.

3. Promote service delivery by Lesedi in rural areas.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Successful entrepreneur, already in the agricultural field for several years creating own value chain.

Community leadership and need for accountability.

Open minded leadership even introducing crypto finance.

---

Phillip Fanyana Masombuka, Ward: 13, Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Working basic services: Fix water outages, sewage spills, potholes and broken streetlights. Every fault will be logged and tracked until it is repaired.

2. Local jobs and skills: Partner with business to bring a skills centre to Devon offering trades, farming and computer literacy, and open municipal tenders fairly to local small businesses.

3. Schools, clinic and shops: Lobby Gauteng education and health for primary and secondary schools in Devon and a fully staffed 24-hour clinic, and attract investment for a shopping centre.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I live in Devon and know its struggles: children walking far to school, young people without work, a clinic that cannot cope, and taps that run dry.

I am not running for a title. I am running to make Ward 13 work.

As your councillor I will hold monthly ward meetings, report back on progress every quarter, and answer my phone.

I am part of the DA’s Ke Nako Ya Lesedi pledge, with clear ward commitments and a plan to fix Lesedi’s finances. Hold me to it. Vote DA on November 4.

---

Themba Lukhele, Ward: 13, Party: Patriotic Alliance

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. PA Portfolio: Minister of Transport.

2. Promote direct access Devon – Heidelberg, route not currently existing.

3. Establish routes promoting tourism and K168 development/connectivity.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Actively involved in the taxi industry and transport issues.

Resident of Devon, understands difficulties for community.

First-hand experience in importance of connectivity.

---

Jabu Nhlapo, Ward: 13, Party: SACP

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

Creation of employment opportunities.

Skills development, especially for young people.

Creating safer community for everyone.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

People should vote for me because of my track record in community development through my involvement in this community for more than 25 years in various structures.

---

Daniel Phaswana, Ward: 88, Independent candidate

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

Service delivery: Reliable water, roads and essential services for all.

Safety for women and children: Safe communities, protection and proactive policing.

Job opportunities for everyone: Skills development, local employment and economic growth.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

I have been volunteering, helping junior kids in sports and chess in the Alra Park area, and elderly and social crime prevention issues.

Any problem that community faces, I was volunteering and helping.