CHRIS van den Berg has been re-elected for a third term as Ward 63 councillor, continuing his work in representing residents across Malvern, Escombe, Northdene and Moseley.

Van den Berg described his return as an overwhelming and humbling experience, saying he was honoured by the trust placed in him by the community and the political party he represents.

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“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,” said the DA councillor.

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.”

After getting into CPF sector policing, Van den Berg saw an opportunity to take the fight to a different level.

“And I got involved with the DA as a branch chairperson. And they said, why don’t you stand as a councillor? So I then decided to take that up. And I went through the application process, expecting not to get through, but just to see what it was like and apply five years later. And I got through and as they say, the rest is history.

“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.

Starting the third term, he revealed that remaining focused and avoiding distractions would be key to serving the community effectively.

Also read: Cllr Van Den Berg shares 2017 plans

The former police reservist mentioned that tackling crime, addressing the city’s ongoing water and electricity challenges, and providing assistance to residents wherever possible are his three key priorities for the coming term.

Among the biggest concerns facing Ward 63 are inconsistent and, at times, non-existent basic services.

“Residents continue to grapple with water and electricity outages, long-outstanding trenches left open in roads, poorly maintained verges and problematic municipal billing practices.”

When asked how he would like residents to remember him at the end of his third term, he said, ‘perseverance’.

“If residents remember me for one thing after this term, I would like it to be that I never give up, no matter the challenges. As I start this term, my intention is to continue fighting for what is right with honesty, integrity and without fear or favour,” he said.

Residents in ward 63 can contact van den Berg on 082 372 2403.

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