Belinda Nompumelelo Hlungwani says she would prioritise basic service delivery, youth employment and safer public spaces if elected as Ward 25 councillor.

uMkhonto weSizwe Party candidate Belinda Nompumelelo Hlungwani is a Ward 25 resident and community volunteer who says she has experience in community organising, youth support and local outreach programmes.

Her proposals include tracking municipal faults, conducting weekly site visits with officials, publishing monthly service-delivery reports and establishing a more accessible ward committee. She also wants to develop youth skills and job-linkage programmes with local businesses.

Hlungwani says she would improve communication through WhatsApp, regular ward meetings and notice boards, while setting a seven-day feedback deadline for residents’ complaints.

Here, she outlines her priorities and how she would measure her performance if elected.

1. Please introduce yourself to residents. Who are you, and what experience, skills or community involvement do you believe are relevant to serving as a ward councillor?

I am Belinda Nompumelelo Hlungwani, a resident of Ward 25 and a community volunteer. I have experience in community organising, youth support and local outreach programmes. I am passionate about serving people and have been active in community meetings.

2. Why have you decided to stand for election in this ward? What motivated you to put yourself forward as a candidate?

I grew up seeing service-delivery challenges in our ward. I want to be a voice that residents can reach.

I am standing to bring accountable leadership, listen to our people and ensure Ward 25 receives its fair share of services.

3. What do you believe are the three biggest challenges currently facing your ward?

The three biggest challenges are inconsistent water and electricity supplies, poor road maintenance and waste collection, and high youth unemployment coupled with a lack of safe recreational spaces.

4. If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your first year in office?

My priorities would be to improve basic service delivery through regular follow-ups with the City of Ekurhuleni, create a functional and accessible ward committee, and launch youth skills and job-linkage programmes with local businesses.

5. What specific steps would you take to address the biggest service-delivery challenges in the ward?

I will log all faults on the municipal system and track reference numbers. I will conduct weekly site visits with officials, publish a monthly service-delivery report and hold monthly ward meetings to provide progress updates.

6. What would you do to improve communication between the ward councillor, residents and the City of Ekurhuleni?

I will create an open WhatsApp channel, hold monthly ward meetings in different voting district (VD) areas and use notice boards to share information.

I will share the outcomes of council meetings within 48 hours in all official languages used in our ward.

7. How would you ensure that residents’ concerns are followed up and that they receive feedback on issues reported to you?

I will keep a register of all complaints, including their reference numbers, and set a seven-day deadline for feedback. I will assign a ward assistant to follow up on complaints.

Residents will receive feedback by SMS or telephone, and unresolved matters will be escalated.

8. What do you believe is one issue in the ward that has not received enough attention, and what would you do about it if elected?

The safety and maintenance of public spaces, especially for children and women, need more attention.

Many streetlights are not working, and parks are unsafe. I will push for solar streetlights and work towards securing public spaces through community patrols.

9. How would you measure your performance as a ward councillor? What should residents be able to hold you accountable for at the end of your term?

Residents should measure my performance by my attendance at council meetings, the number of service-delivery issues resolved and the time taken to resolve them, as well as regular reporting.

I will publish a quarterly performance report showing the number of complaints received, resolved and still pending.

10. Why should residents consider you when deciding who to vote for as their ward councillor?

I am accessible, honest and live in this ward. I understand our daily struggles.

I will not disappear after the elections. I will work with all residents, regardless of political party, to find practical solutions and improve services in Ward 25.