Bea Campbell-Cloete, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) candidate for Ward 102, says visible leadership, accountability, and clear communication will be her priorities if elected in the upcoming by-election.

Introducing herself to residents, Campbell-Cloete describes herself as a people person, who believes local government works best when councillors are accessible and present in the community. She says Ward 102 is a diverse and vibrant area and that every resident deserves to be heard and respected.

Read more: Ward 102 residents urged to register this weekend for upcoming by-election

Campbell-Cloete brings both political and corporate experience to her candidacy. She has served as a councillor for nine years in several municipalities across South Africa and has also held executive-level positions in the corporate sector. She says her background in organisation, communication, and problem-solving has given her a strong understanding of how government systems work, as well as how frustrating it can be when they fail residents.

She decided to stand as the DA candidate because she believes Ward 102 needs consistent leadership. “Residents want their issues resolved and someone who will fight for those resolutions.” She added that the by-election is an opportunity to bring stability to the ward.

Her connection to the area is personal. She previously lived and worked in Ward 102, her children attended school in Randburg, her grandmother is buried in the area, and her family runs a business locally. She says seeing the ward deteriorate over time motivated her to get involved. According to Campbell-Cloete, the three most pressing issues in Ward 102 are service delivery failures, public safety, and the local economy. She highlighted ongoing problems with roads, potholes, storm water, electricity, and unfinished reinstatements. She also raised concerns about poor law enforcement, including illegal dumping, unlawful billboards, vagrancy, and hijacked properties. These issues, she said, are contributing to declining business activity and empty shops in local centres.

Also read: Ward 102 Democratic Alliance candidate outlines her vision for the ward

Feedback from residents has highlighted frustration over unresolved issues and inadequate communication. Campbell-Cloete says people want a councillor who is responsive and keeps them informed. If elected, she plans to use area-specific WhatsApp groups, regular community meetings, and consistent updates to maintain open communication. With a voter registration weekend taking place, she urged residents to check and update their details. She explained that ward boundaries and addresses can change, and incorrect details can cause problems on election day, especially during local government elections.

Residents can register or update their details at designated stations or online through the Electoral Commission of South Africa. Registration stations for Ward 102 include Laerskool Fontainebleau, Bordeaux Primary School, Blairgowrie Community Centre, St Stithians Girls’ College, and Bryanston High School. She added that the DA will also have additional registration tables in the area to assist voters.

On accountability, Campbell-Cloete said she believes in persistent follow-ups, formal escalation of issues and transparency with residents. She plans to use council oversight structures and public reporting to hold service delivery departments accountable.

She also stressed the importance of working with community organisations, schools, religious institutions, and local businesses to build partnerships and share responsibility within the ward.“Transparent leadership means telling residents the truth, even when it’s not good news. It’s about being honest about processes and timelines, while still pushing for better outcomes.” Campbell-Cloete said success would be a ward where issues are resolved faster, public spaces are better maintained, residents feel informed, and trust in local government is restored.

Her final message to residents is a call to action. “Register, update your details, get involved, and make your voice count. Together, we can build a Ward 102 that works better for everyone.”

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