Robinson retires after 21 years of service

Alderman Benno Robinson retired as councillor after 21 years in public service on November 4.
The 76-year-old first served as a ward councillor for the National Party in the Benoni council for the northern parts of Benoni (agricultural holding) from 1994 to 2001.
In 1999, he joined the Democratic Party, now known as the Democratic Alliance.
“I was the first NP councillor to cross the floor to the DP in 1999,” said Robinson.
He also served as a PR councillor for the DA and he served Daveyton and Thembisa from 2016 until he retired.
The Farrarmere resident was awarded aldermanship in 2016.
Before getting into politics, Robinson was an industrial engineer. He had practices in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.
He said he was eight years old when he put up his first election poster, as his father was the mayor of Rustenburg.
“I have been a community man all my life. I served on many parents’ boards for schools, so it was an automatic thing for me to want to serve my community as a ward councillor,” he said.
“While I served as a councillor, I had 11 new roads built in several areas. I pride myself on the fact that when I was serving as a ward councillor, I reacted to every complaint a resident had, from potholes to street lights.
“When I was in city planning, I was instrumental in getting the R21 area identified as an industrial service corridor, which is now known as the Aerotropolis.”
While in council, Robinson was given the opportunity to study local government management at the University of Pretoria.
Speaking about his retirement, he said it has been a great honour and privilege to serve in his various roles.
“I got a better understanding of how the metro and council works; the procedures and policies. This is one of my fondest memories because I am now able to pass this knowledge onto new councillors when I train them and can guide them on what they can and can’t do.
“I also made new friends with fellow councillors and with residents; that’s a good memory to have.”
Robinson said as a leader he will miss providing leadership and guidance to the caucus and other councillors.
“The time has come for the younger generation to take over. After 21 years, I have done my part.”
He added that as he steps into retirement, he is excited and hopeful that Mandela’s dreams of having one rainbow nation will happen, and one day ‘we will look back and say his dream has come true’.
He expressed gratitude to his family for always being supportive and understanding throughout this journey.
Robinson plans to travel and focus on being a consultant in industrial engineering and property management.
He encouraged new councillors to communicate, listen and resolve problems.
“I find that councillors don’t communicate. The pandemic has also contributed to this reality because large gatherings are prohibited. However, they need to find a way of communicating with the residents because that is important.”
Robinson’s highlights:
• 2006 to 2011 – ward councillor for the DA in Ekurhuleni for the northern parts of Benoni and the Kempton Park AH, Chief Albert Luthuli, Crystal Park, Petit, Bredel, Pomona and Glen Marais.
• From 2011 to 2016 – ward councillor for the DA for Boksburg North, Beyers Park, Eveleigh and Ravenswood.
• From 2006 to 2021 – shadow MMC for the DA in several portfolios, including city planning, human settlement, economic development, infrastructure, energy and water.
• He was also a whip for eight years, a deputy chief whip and multiparty whipery and DA management executive committee.