With the 2026 local government elections approaching, Ward 117 residents can get to know the candidates vying to represent their community. Meet the candidates, learn more about their priorities and find out what they hope to achieve if elected as ward councillor.

All candidates were invited to submit responses to questions. The responses published below are included here. This article will be updated as further candidates submit their responses.

Ward 117 suburbs include:

Blairgowrie, Craighall Park, Dunkeld, Dunkeld West, Parkhurst, Parktown North, Parkwood, Parkwood Ext. 1, Pierneef Park, Pine Park, Rosebank, Saxonwold, Victory Park Estate S.H., and Victory Park.

Ward councillor 117 ActionSA candidate Nkhensi Tlakula

1. In one sentence, who are you?
   I am Nkhensi Tlakula, a research project management professional with a decade of experience in project co-ordination, stakeholder management and administration, who is also a socio-political activist committed to bringing an action-oriented approach to serving Ward 117.
2. What are the biggest issues facing your ward currently?
   The prominent issues in Ward 117 are incessant billing problems, unrepaired potholes, deteriorating roads, slow reinstatement after municipal works, and unreliable water and electricity supply. Additionally, community safety across the ward is an ongoing issue, alongside the maintenance, protection and safety of environmental assets such as the Braamfontein Spruit and Zoo Lake.
3. What practical solutions would you prioritise should you be named councillor of your ward?
   My priority will be the establishment of a collaborative system for identifying, escalating and tracking municipal complaints, with regular feedback to residents. I will work with the relevant city departments to drive faster pothole repairs, prompt reinstatement after works, improved water and electricity reliability, accurate and fair billing, and stronger oversight of municipal spending. To bolster community safety, especially in public areas such as Delta Park, I will facilitate stronger co-operation between the SAPS, CPF and private security initiatives.
4. What is one misconception about you or your party that you would clarify?
   A misconception about ActionSA is that we are primarily focused on mere political disruption. This is untrue, especially in local government where we have demonstrated commitment to competent governance, service delivery and accountability, particularly in complex coalition environments where staying above the political fray can be challenging.
5. Should your party’s candidate be named mayor, in your opinion, what issue/issues should they address first?
   When Herman Mashaba becomes mayor, he should prioritise restoring municipal competence and public trust by promptly addressing unreliable water and electricity supply, inconsistent refuse collection, deteriorating roads and the city’s infrastructure maintenance backlog. Another key area needing immediate attention is the municipal billing crisis. These priorities must be supported by curbing unauthorised and wasteful expenditure while strengthening accountability across municipal departments.

Ward councillor 117 DA candidate Eleanor Huggett

1. In one sentence, who are you?
   I am Eleanor Huggett. I was the councillor in Ward 73 from 2017 but am now looking forward to the new challenge of being the councillor for Ward 117. I have been a Parkhurst resident for over 30 years.
2. What are the biggest issues facing your ward currently?
   Displaced people, water bursts and sewer blockages, roads and reinstatements, billing problems and power outages.
3. What practical solutions would you prioritise should you be named councillor of your ward?
   All issues are equally important. I will do everything in my power to support the DA and our Mayor Helen Zille in fixing Johannesburg.
4. What is one misconception about you or your party that you would clarify?
   That the Democratic Alliance is a party for one race only, which is untrue because it is a party that embraces every race and religion. No matter who you are, the DA will work with every resident in the country who believes in Johannesburg and wants to get it working.
5. Should your party’s candidate be named mayor, in your opinion, what issue/s should they address first?
   All issues are equally important. I will do everything I can to support the DA and our Mayor, Helen Zille, in fixing Johannesburg.

Other candidates are encouraged to email the editor, Ashtyn Mackenzie, at ashtynm@caxton.co.za.