THE DA have retained Wards 63, 64 and 65 following the conclusion of the Local Government Elections (LGE).

The wards, which have been strongholds for the DA, include Hillary, Bellair, Malvern, Northdene, Escombe, and Sea View to name a few.

Chris van den Berg (Ward 63), Norman Gilbert (Ward 64) and Samantha Windvogel (Ward 65) are set to be announced winners with preliminary results showing them in the lead.

Ward 63

Starting the third term, Van den Berg revealed that he remains focused on serving the community effectively. He said he was honoured by the trust placed in him by the community and the political party he represents.

“It is an overwhelming feeling to have the trust of the community put in me and the political party that I represent, and I feel incredibly honoured,” he said.

Van den Berg said he decided early on in his life that he wanted to make a difference. “I didn’t quite know what that meant, just wanted to to make a difference.”

Van den Berg also shared some of his lessons having served as a councillor before.

“The biggest lesson, for me personally, is to avoid the noise, keep my head down, and focus on what matters most in our community,” he said.

Ward 64

Gilbert was leading in the results when Queensburgh News was published, with more than 6000 votes cast for him to stand as the Ward 64 councillor.

It’s a position he also secured in a by-election last year after the former ward councillor, Gavin Hegter, resigned in June last year.

Gilbert said he was humbled by the residents’ trust put in him.

“I’m encouraged. I’m energised by the support that I’ve received from the residents of Ward 64, and I’m ready to get going on the next five years. I think the outcome of the voting in this election is clear: residents are concerned about service delivery. They’re concerned about good, stable, transparent, accountable government. I am both humbled and encouraged by the community’s confidence and their faith in not only re-electing me as the ward councillor, but also those colleagues who are around me in Ward 65 and Ward 63, and also in the wards throughout Chatsworth.”

Ward 65

Windvogel meanwhile is returning to office for a third term following her outright win in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Windvogel received more than 9400 votes. The MK Party registered more than 3700 votes to claim second place, while the ANC secured third position with more than 1600 votes.

“It feels humbling, truly humbling,” said Windvogel. “To be trusted once is an honour. To be trusted three times by the people of Ward 65, that is something I will never take for granted. It tells me that residents saw the work, they saw that I showed up, and they believe we can do even more together. I am deeply grateful, and I do not take this trust lightly.”

It is important to note that before being announced by the IEC, the results undergo an independent audit to ensure accuracy and transparency.

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