In the lead-up to the Local Government Elections (LGE) on Wednesday, November 4, Highway Mail will be speaking to residents from all walks of life about changes they’d like to see in their neighbourhoods.

They will speak on the challenges they face and where they feel service delivery could improve.

This week, we interviewed a resident from Ward 103 in the Summerveld area, and a resident from Crestholme and another from Atholl Heights.

Summerveld resident Jodi Lloyd-Fox said she would definitely be voting when the time comes and that she hopes her candidate, party of choice “will bring much needed assistance in our area”.

“Poor roads with no maintenance and poor healthcare for those that can’t afford medical aid, and the corruption in eThekwini seems out of hand,” said Lloyd-Fox.

She added that she believes her party of choice is needed in governance throughout SA so that focus can be “on getting the basics right”.

“Accountable leadership, functioning municipalities, safer communities, reliable services and responsible management of taxpayers’ money” constitute the government the country needs, said Lloyd-Fox.

Also read: VIDEO: Rough roads cause headache for equestrian community

“I’m not expecting perfection from any political party, but I do want to support the party I believe has the strongest commitment to good governance, accountability and building a better future for South Africa. For me, it’s about choosing progress over excuses and action over empty promises.”

Tashveer Mungal from Atholl Heights said he will also be voting “because I want accountable leadership, reliable basic services and proper value for the rates we pay”.

“In Westville, my priorities are a dependable water supply, prompt repairs to leaking pipes, potholes and faulty streetlights, maintained stormwater drains and improved community safety,” said Mungal.

He added that across the city, attention needs to be urgently given to ageing infrastructure, pollution caused by sewage, dependable collection of refuse, accurate municipal billing, as well as transparent spending of the municipality’s budget.

“My vote is a call for competent governance, clear communication and measurable improvements that protect our communities, businesses and environment,” said Mungal.

Julie Cox from Crestholme said: “I will definitely be voting on the 4th of November, it is very important. My main concerns are about the lack of maintenance being done to our infrastructure in general, but also the lack of maintenance to our roads, especially Inanda Rd. Since the floods and the collapse of part of the road, the promised repairs have not been done properly, we are constantly being promised they will be done but it doesn’t happen. We have constant water and electricity outages, the rates go up but the repairs get less. We need people who will be held accountable for the lack of work on our infrastructure, people who know how to do their jobs and care about the communities they represent. Please people, go and vote, it is important.”

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