The Springs Advertiser invited political parties to submit information on candidates contesting wards in Springs. The profiles are based on information supplied by the respective candidates. The profiles are intended solely to provide voters with information about the candidates contesting the election and to help them make informed choices at the polls.The views expressed in these answers are those of the respective candidates and do not represent the views of Caxton Local Media or any of the publications. Not all parties responded by the submission deadline.

Alta Gobey
Ward: 72
Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. To get sewage problems sorted: This is a general issue in the whole of Ekurhuleni and we also have it in Ward 72.
2. Potholes filled: Road infrastructure is falling apart under the leadership of the ANC/EFF coalition.
3. Streetlights working again: Not one of the streetlights in many of our roads and main roads are not working. I have reported it time and again and was also asked by residents to report, but with no positive results.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  I bring a wealth of experience in local politics and community service to this role, having served for 15 years as both a ward and proportional representative councillor in Ethekweni Municipality in Durban from 1996 to 2011 before we moved to Gauteng.

Beyond politics, I also care deeply for animals, as well as community-led safety programmes. I have served for 15 years in various leadership roles for the SPCA, fighting for our equitable grants from Ekurhuleni, as well as being an active member of the Rowhill CPF. I believe I’m well equipped to represent the residents of Ward 72.

Charmaine Kock
Ward:75
Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Fight to restore peace in Largo.
2. Resolve the chronic issues with our sewage pump stations, especially the pumps in Strubenvale and Slovo Park.
3. Fix and maintain road infrastructure as well as streetlights. The roads in Welgedacht are a key priority for this next term.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  I’m standing again because I believe our community deserves a local government that actually works. One that listens to its residents, spends public money responsibly and gets services working

In Ward 75, residents have had to live with potholes, unreliable electricity, water problems, broken infrastructure and declining services.

My plan includes fixing of our parks, restoring our pride in the CBD and ensuring that our sporting facilities are made available to develop and grow the talent that we have in our ward. I’m ready to work hard, be accessible and fight for the services that the Ward 75 community deserves.

Alexandre Kuschke
Ward:76
Party: DA

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Reliable service delivery: Fix and maintain streetlights, potholes, roads, sewage, water and electricity issues, with clear reporting and follow-up.
2. Community safety: Strengthen cooperation between SAPS,CPF, security groups and residents, improve visible policing, address crime hotspots and support GBV prevention.
3. Jobs and local economic growth: Attract investment, support local businesses and SMMEs, improve neglected public spaces, and create opportunities for skills development and employment for residents.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  Having worked hard for the residents already as an active member of the CPF and community-led security initiatives, I believe my record is built on action – not promises.

I listen to residents, raise issues, assist where I can and remain accessible when people need help. I am not promising miracles, I am promising hard work, transparency and measurable results.

My plans for Ward 76 are built on a simple approach of finding solutions, regular engagement, stronger accountability and measurable progress on service delivery, safety and local economic opportunities. Ward 76 deserves leadership that listens, works and reports back.

Marta Louise Herbst (known as Marlize Herbst)
Ward: 76
Party: Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus)

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. My first priority is reliable basic services – electricity, water, roads, refuse removal and infrastructure maintenance – with proper accountability when residents are left without services.
2. I want a cleaner, safer Springs by addressing neglected parks, illegal dumping, by-law enforcement and working alongside residents and community organisations.
3. I want to involve our younger generation in rebuilding their community. Young people must know that their voices matter and that they can play an active role in Springs. My focus is simple: reliable services, safer and cleaner neighbourhoods, and a community that works together.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  For the past five years, I have worked for Springs residents as a PR councillor, escalating power outages and service-delivery failures and fighting for answers from the municipality.

I have not only raised complaints; I have worked alongside residents, helped establish community clean-up initiatives and encouraged people to become part of the solution. I have also worked to involve younger residents and represented issues affecting children and communities through my council work.

I know the frustrations Springs residents face because I have been dealing with them every day. Give me the opportunity to do even more as your ward councillor.

Margaret Elizabet Smith
Ward: 75
Party: Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus)

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. I will press for dependable electricity, water, roads and refuse removal, and proper infrastructure maintenance. I will address illegal dumping, neglected parks and by-law enforcement, and follow up when services fail.
2. Young people must know their voices matter. I will encourage them to take part in initiatives, share ideas and help improve Springs, while connecting them with skills and opportunities.
3. Dignity and care for our elderly: I will listen to older residents, raise concerns about the support and services they need, and work with community groups and relevant authorities to help ensure they are treated with respect.•

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?

Residents should vote for me because I am committed to making a real difference through action, accountability and service. I am hardworking, approachable and willing to listen to residents’concerns.

My plans focus on practical solutions, safer and cleaner communities, better service delivery and opportunities for everyone. I will lead with honesty, integrity and dedication, representing residents every day, not just during elections.

I am ready to listen, act and deliver results. Give me the opportunity to do even more as your ward councillor.

Benjamin Fredeman Pienaar (known as Bennie)
Ward: 72
Party: Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus)

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. My first priority is to fight for reliable basic services. Residents deserve consistent electricity, water, refuse removal, proper roads and infrastructure that is maintained instead of being allowed to deteriorate. When the municipality fails, residents deserve a councillor who will demand answers and hold those responsible accountable.
2. My second priority is making Ward 72 cleaner and safer by confronting illegal dumping, neglected public spaces and poor by-law enforcement.
3. My third priority is rebuilding community involvement, especially among young people. I want residents to have a stronger voice and work together to take back pride in our community.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  I believe Ward 72 deserves a councillor who will listen to residents, speak up for them and refuse to accept excuses.

I want to be a strong voice for our community in council and make sure residents’ concerns are followed up until there are answers.

Politics must be about service, accountability and action, not empty promises. I want to work with residents to improve streets, public spaces, safety and opportunities for our young people. I am ready to stand up and fight for the community we all call home. Give me the opportunity to work for and with you.

Timothy Mngomezulu
Ward: 72
Party: Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party)

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Service delivery restoration – I will fight to ensure consistent water supply, electricity, functional street lights, refuse collection, clean streets and proper maintenance of roads and infrastructure for all residents.
2. Youth empowerment and job creation – I will prioritise linking our unemployed youth to EPWP, learnerships,
   Transnet and municipal opportunities, and support local SMMEs.
3. Safety, housing and community care – I will work with CPF and law enforcement to fight crime, push for housing and title deeds, and ensure our elders are taken care of.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  The reason they should vote for MKP is that I am committed to serving our community and bringing meaningful change.

Andile Sithebe
Ward: 74
Party: Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party)

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Basic service delivery first: Fix potholes on Springs Road and Denne Road, leaking water pipes, streetlights and constant power outages. Ensure clean streets, reliable waste collection and proper stormwater drainage for every household.
2. Safety and community well-being: Work closely with SAPS Kwa-Thema (CPF), community patrols to fight crime and drugs.
3. Youth skills development: Create local jobs, build a youth centrer in the area for opportunities, support SMMEs, push skills training, sports facilities, and bursaries so our youth are not left behind.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  I am a resident of Kwa-Thema and a community servant who has always been on the ground – not only during elections. I have served on a Ward 74 committee.

As a MK Party candidate, I bring discipline, unity and transparent service to the people. I will be an accessible, accountable councillor with an open-door policy that works for all. Vote for action, not promises.

Peter Shembe
Ward: 75
Party: Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party)

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Sanitation and waste crisis: Continuous sewage overflows in formal and informal areas posing health risks, plus irregular refuse collection and illegal dumping worsened by contract disputes.
2. Failing electrical and safety infrastructure: Extended power outages from cable theft and decaying infrastructure with repairs now taking over a week, plus dark corridors from non-functioning streetlights fueling crime.
3. Collapsing roads and public spaces: Pothole-riddled, crumbling roads and pavements, and neglected, vandalised, overgrown parks and heritage sites in Springs.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  Vote for jobs, clean water, lights, working services.

Charles Tshepo Mtsweni
Ward: 76
Party: Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party)

• What are your top three priorities for this ward?

1. Formalise with dignity: Daggafontein, N17 and Bourret DRD Gold land donation, Eskom wayleave for electricity, serviced stands with papers, no removals.

2.Thirty percent local jobs and SMME database for youth in Khayalethu, Kwasa, Struisbult and traders at Sharon Park, and one fair list for all eight VDs.

3. Fix basic services in all suburbs: Struisbult sewage, water, lights, potholes and parks department to cut grass and clean parks in every VD.

• Why should residents vote for you, based on your track record and plans?
  I live here, I fight for settlements and suburbs. MK puts Ward 76 first.