Ward 99 councillor Hendrik Bodenstein urged residents to be safe and responsible during the Christmas holidays.

“Thank you for your resilience, generosity, and belief in Ward 99. It is an honour to serve you. May this festive season bring rest, joy, and safety to you and your families. Please be safe, responsible, and have the time of your life.”

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Bodenstein said his biggest highlight of 2025 was being elected as Ward 99 councillor in April. “Building systems, communication, and trust is a rocky road, but with the support of our residents and my phenomenal predecessor, Nicole van Dyk, light is firmly in sight.”

Other highlights were Linden being named the 17th coolest neighbourhood in the world, a recognition of the ward’s creativity, resilience, and community spirit, and the announcement of Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, giving the city a real sense of hope and direction. “On the ground, 2025 was shaped by the Emma Park revitalisation, stronger partnerships, and a surge in volunteer energy across Blairgowrie, Linden, Ferndale, Jacanlee, Robin Hills, and Robindale.”

His local heroes of the year are residents, volunteers, and organisations who rolled up their sleeves and actively shaped their neighbourhoods. “These are the people who still believe in Johannesburg, even when the city tests that belief every day. Their commitment makes public service worthwhile.”

Also read: Ward 99 councillor hopes December will bring rest and relaxation

Although there were some positives, ageing infrastructure, entity backlogs, outages, burst pipes, and years of neglect created major obstacles. Through persistent escalation, constructive engagement with City Power, Johannesburg Water, Johannesburg Roads Agency, and others, and transparent communication with residents, meaningful progress was made. “The transformation of Emma Park remains a standout moment. Residents took ownership of a shared space and turned it into something beautiful. Linden’s global recognition was another moment of pride, proving that our ward is exceptional, even as the city faces immense challenges.”

He added that he wishes for a stable period of service delivery and ongoing resident involvement. “Two consecutive weeks without a burst pipe would be a Christmas miracle.”

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