New Ward 44 councillor vows to tackle service delivery
Recently elected, Samantha de la Rey says restoring basic services, improving infrastructure, and building better communication with residents are at the top of her agenda.
The newly elected councillor for Ward 44, Samantha de la Rey, has stepped into her role with a firm commitment to improve service delivery and build stronger communication between residents and the municipality.
Ward 44 spans the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, primarily covering Faerie Glen, Garsfontein, Olympus, and a small part of Die Wilgers.
De La Rey brings with her a clear mandate to improve service delivery and ensure that residents’ concerns are addressed efficiently.
With deep roots in Pretoria and a strong background in public service, De La Rey was born and raised in the Moot area and completed her schooling at Die Hoërskool Wonderboom. She later moved to Pretoria east, where she lives and actively serves the far east constituency.
De la Rey said she is ready to hit the ground running.
“I’m truly honoured and humbled to have been elected. This is a responsibility I take seriously, and I’m grateful to the residents for their trust.
“My focus is on working closely with the community to ensure every voice is heard and local priorities are addressed.”
She said her focus includes tackling service delivery issues that have long frustrated Ward 44 residents, such as broken streetlights, poor road conditions, and irregular waste collection.
She has committed to prioritising the restoration of public lighting as a key step to improving both safety and quality of life.
De la Rey also emphasised the importance of effective by-law enforcement.
“Illegal dumping, noise disturbances, and unregulated informal trading are concerns that impact everyone’s daily life. We need consistent enforcement to restore order and pride in our community,” she said.
De la Rey explained that to address these challenges, she plans to take a hands-on approach, engaging with municipal departments, ensuring timely responses, and keeping residents informed of progress.
“I am to maintain communication through ward meetings, walkabouts, and digital platforms like WhatsApp and other social media platforms.”
She added that transparency and accountability are key: “Residents deserve to know what’s happening and how their concerns are being handled.”
De la Rey brings a wealth of experience in public services and is not a stranger to council work.
“I worked as a senior secretary to the health oversight committee chairperson and later in the office of the former mayor, Cilliers Brink.”
She is currently working on a degree in policy studies and has a background in logistics and supply chain management.
“Good policy drives real progress,” she noted, “and I’m committed to advocating for the resources Ward 44 needs.”
Residents can reach De la Rey directly on 084 529 6541, and her details are also available on the DA website.
As she begins her term, De la Rey is calling on residents to actively engage with her office. “This is our ward. I’m here to serve, and I will work every day to make it better for all of us.”
She feels establishing a community upliftment project (CUP) in Ward 44 would be a proactive way to address service delivery issues such as potholes, while fostering collaboration between residents, local businesses, and key stakeholders.
“This initiative encourages community involvement and ownership of local challenges, allowing residents to pool resources, share skills, and take direct action to improve their surroundings.
“A practical example of this approach is the successful repair of potholes at the corner of Olympus Drive and Skukuza Street, where community-led efforts demonstrated what can be achieved through unity and initiative,” she said.
“A CUP would serve as a platform for regular engagement, mobilisation, and accountability, empowering the community to not only raise concerns but also become part of the solution,” she explained.
Ward 44 Tshwane Final Result:
– DA: 88.07% – 3594 votes (2024: 75.95% – 8 520 votes | 2021: 70.32% – 6282 votes)
– ANC: 0.98% – 40 votes (2024: 4.64% – 520 votes | 2021: 2.93% – 262 votes)
– FF+: 10.76% – 439 votes (2024: 9.42% – 1 057 votes | 2021: 17.43% – 1 557 votes)
– OHM: 0.20% – 8 votes (2024: Did not contest | 2021: 0.02% – 2 votes)
– Total Poll Turnout – 27.12%
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