Another DA ward councillor who managed to keep his ward, Desmond Mckenzie, will be serving Ward 91 for another term.
“Firstly, I would like to thank the residents of Ward 91 who voted me back at the local elections. I assure them of my absolute commitment to continue to act in the best interest of our fine community.
“I believe in hard work and dedication to what I have signed up for and to continue to serve my community in the best way possible. I believe that all residents must be treated with the same respect that we all deserve,” said Mckenzie.
Q: As the reelected ward councillor, what do you hope to achieve during your term?
A: The one important thing is to promote social cohesion and continue to work with all stakeholders in the community.
I also aim to prioritise community safety, improve local infrastructure, invest in youth development and combat illegal dumping.
Q: When looking at your plans and promises when you were elected in the previous term, how much of your plans materialised?
A: My 2017 manifesto has been tough but there were some notable achievements along the way with service delivery, including resurfacing of roads, fixing of potholes, fixing of burst pipes and street lights, cutting of grass, collection of waste, working with the local SAPS, community and CPF to reduce crime, ensuring that EPWP is fair and goes to the unemployed in the ward, and improving healthcare and visiting the local clinic regularly.
Q: Are there any issues that were not completed in the previous term? How do you plan to work on completing these?
A: Service delivery remains a huge issue, but I will continue fighting and making sure that service is delivered to residents in the ward. Quality service delivery remains a high priority, such as resurfacing streets, fixing potholes and all streetlights, building of a new wall at the Norkem Park Transfer Station and attending to infrastructure issues.
Q: What will you do differently as a ward councillor this time around?
A: I will continue to engage the respective department/s to ensure that they commit to all outstanding service delivery issues not attended to and I am looking forward to a responsive and committed ward committee that will be elected by the community.
I will listen and communicate effectively and co-operate with all stakeholders in the ward.
Without a doubt there is the need to be effective as a ward councillor, understanding the issues and concerns the residents are facing and being equipped with the skill, confidence and ability to take action and make a difference as the ward councillor.
I will also build relationships and working closely with all departments within the municipality and have regular engagements with residents.
Q: What plans do you have overall for your ward?
A: To reduce crime. To achieve this, I will intensify relations with SAPS and CPF and other stakeholders.
We will ensure consistency in grass-cutting and overall maintenance of parks, educate the community on the importance of reporting service delivery issues and how to report on the various issues, and youth development will be the key area of focus for the ward.
Email Mckenzie at Desmond.Mckenzie@ekurhuleni.gov.za; Desmondmckenzie32@gmail.com or call 082 454 4407.
