Addressing unemployment in Maitland, Kensington and Factreton within the first 100 days in office is high on the agenda for Cheslyn Steenberg: the new councillor for Ward 56.
On Wednesday 8 February, Steenberg claimed the Patriotic Alliance’s first ward seat in the City of Cape Town.
The party won the seat previously won by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 40,70% (1 321 votes).
The DA did not appear on the ballot because the party missed the Independent Electoral Commission’s deadline to submit a candidate for the by-election (“Voters demand positive change before making crosses as Ward 56 by-election grows ever-nearer,” People’s Post, 17 January 2023).
The ward was contested by seven candidates, namely, Mark Arendse of the African Restoration Alliance (ARA), Deidrée de Vos of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Mogammat Magodien Samodien of the Al Jama-Ah, Cameron Peters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Kevin Inglis from the GOOD party, Shaheema Langeveldt from Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) and Steenberg.
With a 20,52% voter turnout, 3 279 cast their votes with 33 spoilt ballots.
Steenberg says he is grateful to everyone who entrusted him with this task.
“I feel overwhelmed. I feel a sense of warmth and a sense of confidence from the people of Ward 56. I didn’t expect such a huge outpouring of support for my campaign.”
Residents made their way to the voting stations with one goal in mind – to “see a change in the area”.
People’s Post caught up with a few voters on the day.
Ellen van Wyk says: “In the community, I want to see change regarding the gangsterism that is so bad. This is my home and my area. We want to see change.”
Wayne Herboldt says he made his mark with the hope that service delivery in the area will be addressed.
“We need to beef up our service delivery in the area. The problem that we have in Voortrekker Road with the tent needs to be sorted out, it just seems like nobody is interested and everyone is just passing the buck. Something has to be done. It can’t carry on like this. We need a change in the area as well. One can’t really see what the previous candidate did in the area. Hopefully, the candidate I voted for will bring that change.”
Another resident says: “The person I voted for is from the area and he knows the community. What has happened over the years is that you voted and you noticed no changes.
“We have just been given the basic things in the area but not what the people want. We are just being kept happy and not getting the full budget as to the stuff in Kensington that used to be done.”
Shariefa Lucks says she hopes her cross will ring in a new era.
“We want a better community and for our youth to find jobs. They must also bring back the prayer sessions in our schools.”
Steenberg says he is ready to lead. “The first thing I am going to tackle is the tent in Voortrekker Road. Secondly, we are dealing with the unemployment matter, so within the first 100 days unemployment will be key to our plan. The establishment of the joint housing committee in the ward, that will comprise of all backyarders and informal settlement residents.”
He adds: “The objective of that is oversight and identification of land where homes can be built via a public-private partnership. But more so to have a review done on existing developments and see who is going to benefit, like the project on the corners of Voortrekker and Koeberg roads. We need to know what is happening and who is going to get those homes.”
Steenberg says his goal is to remain accessible to the people.
“A huge thank you and appreciation to everyone who voted for me and thank you for the confidence that you have placed in me. And even though you have not voted for me I will remain your councillor and I will remain the servant of the people.”
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