WARD committees are an important communication link between residents, ward councillors and the municipality, and they play an advisory role that can make recommendations to the eThekwini Municipality Council.

Some residents have wondered what happened to the Ward 97 committee that was elected in October last year as there have been some questions raised online about why it has been quiet and not seen.

ALSO READ: Isipingo councillor unveils ward committee

Ward 97 councillor, André Beetge, said a number of issues have hamstrung the ward committee, ranging from delays by eThekwini Municipality to the community’s apathy towards involvement. Beetge said following a delayed process from the municipality, 10 ward 97 residents were successfully elected to serve as ward committee members for the 2021-2026 term in October 2022.

“The verification process leading to initiation of the committee was thereafter delayed until June, as the municipality remained in wait for certain members’ documentary requirements. With that received, an inaugural meeting was held and portfolios allocated in July, where after each portfolio champion was afforded until the August meeting to identify nine community members, one from each of the ward’s areas/suburbs, to form a portfolio subcommittee from which they could draw input and advise to assist the ward committee,” he said.

In August, Beetge said not only was the attendance such that the meeting was inquorate, but members who attended reported a general reluctance from the community to participate in the system.

“Further to which we have as recent as last Friday been informed that one of the members, who was in fact also the last to submit the required documentation, had indicated an intention of resigning,” said Beetge.

Because of those reasons, Beetge has extended an appeal to Ward 97 residents to to avail themselves to form part of the following interactive sub-committees:

• Cleansing and solid waste
• Electricity, water and sanitation
• Entrepreneurship and small business
• Health, safety and security
• Human settlements
• Skills development and job creation
• Sports, recreation and culture
• Transport, roads and stormwater
• Youth, gender and vulnerable groups

Those who want to participate in the sub-committees have to be a registered voter in the ward, in possession of a South African identity document or card, and resident in one of the following areas/suburbs:

• Illovo beach/ Panorama Park
• Winklespruit/ Warner Beach (below N2)
• St Winifreds/ Astra Park (above N2)
• Doonside
• Doonheights/ Shulton Park
• Amanzimtoti central (Isundu to School roads)
• Amanzimtoti Berea (Lewis Drive south up Adams to old Main roads)
• Lower N2 (Beach Road south of Shad Place across the CBD to School Road)
• Ezimangweni (Adams Crossing, Wade Road (south side) across Dolphin Place including Aloe Road and across)

Forward the name, surname, contact number, ID number, address and portfolio sub-committee of interest to cllr.andre.beetge@mail.com for consideration at the next ward committee meeting scheduled for October 5.

Call Beetge on 082 718 8137.

DID YOU KNOW?

Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom at 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.

(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)