Susan Stewart (45) the Councillor of Ward 82 oversees parts of Westbury, Newclare, parts of Newlands, Claremont, Montclaire, Industria North, Bosmont and Wibsey Dip.
Stewart grew up at the Albertus Flats in Newclare where she lived with her parents.
“We had many challenges in our lives at the time but challenges of different nature to what our youth experience today. I was fortunate to live with both of my biological parents in a safe and secure home and have lots of fond memories of my childhood.
“I believe that my childhood offered me a good foundation, spiritually, morally, intellectually and physically. I had a good family structure and responsible parents who loved and cared for me” said Stewart.
The councillor attended Newclare Primary and then went to Chris Jan Botha Senior Secondary School. Stewart currently resides in Florida Park.
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She got involved in political activism in the year 2000 upon joining the Democratic Alliance as a volunteer. She then became the ward councillor in 2011 and is serving her second term as Councillor.
According to Stewart, the ward is currently facing problems in unemployment, criminal activities such as drug abuse and drug peddling, housing shortages, housing maintenance related issues, and general service delivery.
“Jobs that are created locally are not sustainable and long term so it does not make a major difference in providing solutions for unemployment.
“I do what I can in terms of my mandate to use what is at my disposal but a lot more needs to be done to make real inroads in this regard,” said Stewart.
Regarding the housing shortages issue, the councillor has been engaging vigorously with proposals to better the housing situation within Ward 82 and without divulging too much presently as engagements are still underway.
Stewart said that the new administration is having to relook at these policies and the reality and come up with more viable solutions that will have a positive impact on the affected communities and bridging the gap between the City and its tenants.
Current developments within the ward are the rebuilding of Everest Primary School through the Department of Infrastructure and Development and Department of Education, the upgrade of the Claremont Clinic through the Johannesburg Development Agency, the upgrade of Stormwater Channel in Newclare, Claremont, and Waterval through the Johannesburg Development Agency.
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An upgrade of the Stormwater Channels in Bosmont through the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo in consultation with Johannesburg Development Agency, Johannesburg Roads Agency and Johannesburg Water.
According to Stewart, there are more projects that are going to happen in the near future but cannot yet be communicated to the public.
Up and coming projects that the councillor is working on is the refurbishment and renovation of flats, completion of housing development at Kathrada Park through the Province, the completion of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) wall on existing railway fencing and engaging K9 unit of JMPD to assist with ongoing drug-related criminality in Ward 82.
The councillor holds public meetings to communicate with residents what projects will be taking place in the communities and said that she will use the publication to inform residents on upcoming meetings.
To contact Susan Stewart email on susan.stewart@telkomsa.net or call on 071 2533 326.
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