Role of a ward councillor
Each ward councillor is elected by a specific geographically-defined ward within the municipality. The ward councillor, therefore, is expected to make sure that concerns related to his or her ward are represented on council. The Municipal Structures Act, 1998 provides for the establishment of ward committees to assist the ward councillor in understanding the needs and the views of the community.
A ward committee should consist of up to ten members who serve as volunteers to advise the councillor, and may represent a certain sector, e.g. women’s groups or ratepayers associations or a geographic area or community within the ward. The ward councillor serves as chair of the ward committee and must hold regular meetings. A council may have a detailed policy on a ward councillor’s responsibilities as ward committee chair, specifying the number of meetings, the type of reports to be made to the ward committee, etc. Ward councillors are also expected to hold regular public meetings within the ward, and can interact directly with any interest group even if that group is not represented on the ward committee.
Councillors serve as representatives of the people
Councillors sit in council on behalf of their constituents. Newly-elected councillors represent different political partyies and/or organisations. Councillors need to interact with each other as every councillor is mandated by their respective voters. It can be a challenge for councillors to work together and co-operate in the interests of their municipality as a whole.
Councillors are the elected representatives of the people and are mandated as elected representatives to make decisions on behalf of their constituencies.
As elected representatives councillors need to carry out their duties in a transparent and accountable way. This means that councillors do not act as individuals and do as they wish. Their actions must be visible to the public so that the public (or party to which the councillor belongs) is able to object when it they feel their interests are not being adequately represented. In order to find out what is happening at council level, the public has the right to attend council meetings, and get records and reports provided by council.
Councillors serve as facilitators of community/constituency input
Councillors are expected to be in close contact with their constituencies ‘on the ground’ and to keep council informed of the real experiences and views of the residents within the municipality. Local government legislation has in several places emphasised the importance of public participation as a means to influence council processes. This means that elements of a participatory democracy are also in place in South Africa.
Citizens do not have a vote on council, but are meant to influence their councillors to represent their views on any topic that affects them. Councillors have a duty to be accessible to the public to allow for that input.
Councillors serve as a communication link between council and community
Every council will be involved in various planning and policy-making processes, and specific programmes or projects that are being implemented. The council will also conduct information campaigns on issues affecting the community. Councillors need to communicate these activities to the public in the interests of increasing transparency and promoting public involvement in these activities.
Councillors help monitor the performance of the municipality
Councillors act as a key feedback mechanism for monitoring:
- whether the municipality’s plans and programmes are achieving the intended effect
- whether services are being provided in a way that is efficient and fair
- whether capital projects as committed to in the IDP are actually taking place according to plan within a reasonable timeframe.
As ward councillors in particular often receive complaints from the public on specific problems they are in a good position to advise the public on how to resolve their issues. They can also assist their constituents in making formal complaints or petitions, as may be appropriate, for submission to the municipality, and can help follow up on the concerns brought to them.
The councillor is also given reports on various service delivery issues and the progress of capital projects, and should pass this information on to the community at every opportunity. While a councillor cannot directly instruct an official on how to do his or her job, councillors do have a right to expect officials to meet accepted standards of service and can raise any serious concerns within council for attention by the relevant department.
Do you Know who your Ward Councillor is?
Do you have a pressing municipal concern you would like to have addressed?
View the list below to contact your Ward Councillor.
- Ward 1 – Cllr Shadrack Kubheka – Charlstown, Clavis, Aviary Park, Northdown – 034 341 1780 (h), Cell: 072 127 4055, e-mail: shadrackk@newcastle.gov.za
- Ward 2 – Cllr Bebsie Cronje – Aviary Hill, Signal Hill, Schuinshoogte, Sunnyridge. – 034 312 8198(h) Cell: 073 941 1846, Fax: 034 312 8118 Email: ablazeprop@telkomsa.net or elizabethc@newcastle.gov.za
- Ward 3 – Cllr Matthew Shunmugam, Suryaville, Fernwood – Link to map – – 082 807 8919
Ward 4 – Pioneer Park, Paradise, Amiel Park – Link to map – Cllr Tanya de Jager – 082 805 7571
Ward 5 – Amajuba Park, Barry Hertzog Park, Ncandu Park – Link to map – Cllr Lindiwe Khoza – 073 408 4237
Ward – 6 – Jobstown, Suspence, Claremont, Leslie, Jakkalspan – Link to map – Cllr Justice Mbatha – 076 999 6803
Ward 7 – Claremount, Invemess – Link to map – Cllr – Sipho Hlatshwayo – 083 519 7829
Ward 8 – Phambili Junior Primary, Indoni Lower Primary areas (oSizweni) – Link to map – Cllr Sipho Buthelezi – 072 484 4010
Ward 9 – oSizweni ward E – Link to map – Cllr Fikile Gama – 076 111 0210
Ward 10 – oSizweni ward C – Link to map – Cllr Doris Buthelezi – 082 385 9909
Ward 11 – oSizweni ward F – Link to map – Cllr Hardin Malindi – 078 739 6330
Ward 12 – Johnstown (Blaauwbosch) – Link to map – Cllr Bonginkosi Ntombela – 083 487 0818
Ward 13 – Xolani High School, Nokukhanya Junior Primary School (oSizweni) Link to map – Cllr Rachel Mdluli – 072 208 3753
Ward 14 – Madadeni 7P – Link to map – Cllr Mandla Zikhali – 076 966 2334
Ward 15 – Cavan (oSizweni) – Link to map – Cllr Nobeluwgu Mattews – 073 672 2274
Ward 16 – Blaauwbosch Laagte – Link to map – Cllr Edwill Nwembe – 073 851 2429
Ward 17 – oSizweni Ward B – Link to map – Cllr Deanah Sibilwane – 072 672 5697
Ward 18 – Madadeni 7N – Link to map – Cllr Duma Tshabalala – 072 599 6585
Ward 19 – Madadeni 7L, Madadeni 7M, Drycut – Link to map – Cllr Mandla Mdhlalose – 072 538 5895
Ward 20 – Newcastle Vliegveld – Link to map – Cllr Zweli Mbatha 071 911 8143
Ward 21 – Chivelston, Taum – Link to map – Cllr Schaba Ndlovu – 076 365 2072
Ward 22 – Mbalenhle School – Link to map – Cllr Thoma Hlabisa – 076 138 3718
Ward 23 – Madadeni 3 – Link to map – Cllr Nana Ngobese – 083 978 3172
Ward 24 – Madadeni 3k – Link to map – Cllr Jonah Gabuza – 079 843 3018
Ward 25 – Newcastle CBD, Arbor Park, Fairleigh, Riverside – Link to map – Cllr Mqapheleni Ngcobo – 083 595 8302
Ward 26 – Madadeni 4 – Link to map – Cllr Magangane Bhekiswayo -073 057 6327
Ward 27 – Madadeni Section 6, Madadeni 7P – Link to map – Cllr Nonhlanhla Msibi – 072 394 8881
Ward 28 – Ntobeko Nunior Primary School Area (Madadeni) – Link to map – Cllr Dukuza Shabalala – 072 486 4075
Ward 29 – Madadeni Section 6 – Link to map – Cllr Mbekezeli Mbatha – 078 474 9182
Ward 30 – oSizweni Ward 5 – Link to map – Cllr Happiness Mkhwanazi – 072 907 6808
Ward 31 – Massondale, Muiskraal – Link to map – Cllr Samson Madonsela – 083 682 8343
