WITH the 2026 Local Government Elections just around the corner, councillors will be elected for all district, metropolitan and local municipalities across the country’s nine provinces. The Highway Mail asked councillor candidates for Ward 18 why voters should vote for them in the upcoming Local Government Elections and what experience they bring which will help them perform at their best as councillors should they be elected.

Thozama Ngubane (ActionSA) said her party’s priorities for Ward 18 will be addressing “the everyday challenges affecting residents, businesses and the community”.

Ngubane said ActionSA will focus on:  

• Water and sanitation: Following up on water interruptions, leaking pipes, sewage spills and delayed repairs.  
• Roads and infrastructure: Pushing for pothole repairs, functioning streetlights and better road maintenance.  
• Safety and cleanliness: Advocating for improved crime prevention, effective by-law enforcement, reliable refuse collection and action against illegal dumping.
•  Jobs and local businesses: Supporting small businesses and pushing for more local economic opportunities, particularly for young people.  
• Accountability: Monitoring municipal service delivery, following up on residents’ complaints and demanding answers from the relevant departments.

Also read: LGE 2026: Meet the EFF’s Ward 18 councillor candidate

“Our approach is simple: listen to residents, prioritise their most urgent problems, escalate them to the municipality and follow up until there is progress,” said Ngubane.

According to Ngubane, the party’s experience in municipal governance through its elected representatives, including participation in council processes, budget oversight and holding municipal administrations accountable, makes its candidates suitable for the role of councillors.

“In eThekwini, our approach is to scrutinise municipal spending, question service delivery failures and demand accountability from those responsible. ActionSA remains committed to engaging with the community and raising its concerns through the appropriate municipal and organisational structures. We will not make promises we cannot keep. Instead, we believe residents deserve practical solutions, consistent follow-ups and transparent communication about progress,” said Ngubane.

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