Residents ready to vote today

Residents are taking to the voting stations today to cast their votes in the local government elections (LGE).

The Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS hosted ward councillor candidates and residents on Tuesday last week at the #BENewsQ&A where residents had the opportunity to take part in a question and answer evening with candidates, prior to today’s local government elections.

The various political parties were well represented, with candidates from the Democratic Alliance, African National Congress, United Democratic Movement, United Residents Front, Economic Freedom Fighters, Independent Ratepayers Association of SA and Freedom Front Plus attending.

“We are grateful to all the candidates who took the time to meet and interact with residents. Two hours were not enough but we are satisfied with the evening’s proceedings,” said Editor, Marietta Lombard.

“We trust the #BENewsQ&A provided residents with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the various candidates hoping to represent them, the residents, after August 3,” said Mrs Lombard.

The night’s meeting was broadcast live by Eden AM (Edenvale Radio), as well as from the Bedfordview and Edenvale News Facebook page where it can be viewed.

The issues raised by residents included the possible sale of Horwood’s Farm, concerns about the future of the Edenvale Sports Grounds, speed humps on roads near schools and a taxi rank for Elandsfontein. Residents also asked several candidates why they should vote for that candidate.

Candidates who took the opportunity to meet with residents were current ward councillors from the DA; Clr Heather Hart (ward 18), Clr Bill Rundle (ward 19), Clr Jill Humphreys (ward 20), Clr Bongani Nkomo (ward 32) and Clr Tiziana Burtone (ward 92).

Others included Izak Berg and Ashley Rutherford from the Independent Ratepayers Association of SA; Albert Khumalo from the ANC, Wiebe Schultz from FF+, Wendy Morgan from the DA, Yongama Ludwe Zigbe from the UDM, Hendrik van der Walt from FF+, Moloki Makonyane from United Residents Front and Malesela Loui Nkoane from the EFF.

The NEWS thanks South African Emergency Care and Dale Slater for the provision of sound, as well as Edenvale senior citizens, Eden AM, the candidates and residents who took the time to meet one-on-one.

Candidates

Below are the candidates contesting in wards 18, 19, 20, 36, 92 and 32 (Modderfontein, Greenstone):

•  Carl Henry Schults, wards 18 and 20 – African Christian Democratic Party.
•  Kevin Burden, ward 19 – African Christian Democratic Party.
•  Princess Karaboeng Tau, ward 32 – African Christian Democratic Party.
•  Phophoma Olga Maphanga, wards 36 and 92 – African Christian Democratic Party.
•  Nomandisa Patience Maphanga, ward 19 – African Independent Congress.
•  Thambile Julius Lizwe, ward 20 – African Independent Congress.
•  Siyenyukela Lugayeni, ward 32 – African Independent Congress.
•  Xolani Henry Failane, ward 36 – African Independent Congress.
•  Shadrack Jonathan Mabaso, ward 18 – African National Congress.
•  Esthras Confidence Moloko, ward 20 – African National Congress.
•  Kwanda Malgas, ward 32 – African National Congress.
•  Polite Sebaiwa Mohlaloga, ward 36 – African National Congress.
•  Ntja Albert Khumalo, ward 92 – African National Congress.
•  Ester Chauke, ward 32 – African People’s Convention.
•  Linda Motsoene, wards 18 and 19 – African People’s Socialist Party.
•  Patiswa Mpunzi, ward 32 – African People’s Socialist Party.
•  Pilane Alpheus Modise, ward 92 – African People’s Socialist Party.
•  Ntobeko Zondo, ward 32 – Azanian People’s Organisation.
•  Heather Hart, ward 18 – Democratic Alliance.
•  William Rundle, ward 19 – Democratic Alliance
•  Jill Humphreys, ward 20 – Democratic Alliance
•  Bongani Nkomo, ward 32 – Democratic Alliance
•  Wendy Morgan, ward 36 – Democratic Alliance
•  Tiziana Burtone, ward 92 – Democratic Alliance
•  Ahmed Mohammed Jada, ward 18 – Economic Freedom Fighters
•  Malesela Loui Nkoane, ward 19 – Economic Freedom Fighters
•  Ngwako Frans Maromu, ward 20 – Economic Freedom Fighters
•  Kgabo Gabriel Tau, ward 32 – Economic Freedom Fighters
•  Nndanduleni Steven Mashau, ward 36 – Economic Freedom Fighters
•  Samuel Selabe, ward 92 – Economic Freedom Fighters
•  Thomas Makhado, ward 18 – Ekurhuleni Community Movement
•  Jerry Inama, ward 19 – Ekurhuleni Community Movement
•  Sithembiso Melphin Lametyi, ward 20 – Ekurhuleni Community Movement
•  Kgaugelo David Mabitsela, wards 36 and 92 – Ekurhuleni Community Movement
•  Izak David Berg, wards 18 and 19 – Independent Ratepayers Association of SA
•  Ashleigh Rutherford, wards 20, 36 and 92 – Independent Ratepayers Association of SA
•  Sakile Buthelezi, ward 18 – Inkatha Freedom Party
•  Mzikayise Buthelezi, wards 19 and 20 – Inkatha Freedom Party
•  Bonginkosi Buthelezi, ward 32 – Inkatha Freedom Party
•  Rashid Adam, ward 32 – Truly Alliance
•  Mluleki Stanford France, ward 19 – United Democratic Movement
•  Yongama Ludwe Zigbe, ward 32 – United Democratic Movement
•  Thandiwe Mzondi, ward 36 – United Democratic Movement
•  Ebenezer Nkuna, ward 18 – United Resident’s Front
•  Poppie Motloung, ward 19 – United Resident’s Front
•  Gloria Hlophe, ward 20 – United Resident’s Front
•  Albert Mazibuko, ward 36 – United Resident’s Front
•  Hendrik Van Der Walt, wards 18, 19, 36 and 92 – Freedom Front Plus
•  Wiebe Schultz, ward 20 – Freedom Front Plus
•  Leslie Lesch, ward 32 – Freedom Front Plus

All candidates were invited to submit their photos for an online gallery. Seen below are the candidates who took part in the #BENewsQ&A and those who submitted photos: