These elections, Edenvale businessman Mark Verhoogt is hoping for a better future for South Africa and Edenvale.
Mark, the owner of De Backery, hopes that whichever party is elected to lead the country and Gauteng will stop corruption, create jobs and deliver services to the citizens.
“I hope people will vote with their minds and not with their hearts. People need to vote for the party which they think will make a change in SA.”
When deciding which political party to vote for Mark said he specifically looks at aspects of service delivery.
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“Political parties must not promise things and then only deliver services to residents a month or three before elections.
“It’s important to me that the people employed in government do their jobs and are capable of fulfilling them.”
Mark explained that from what he has observed, the elections have caused some hesitation among the business community.
“People are holding back on all of the developments they were planning to do until after the elections.
“I have carried on investing in the area and I am working on several projects at the moment, but a lot of people are saying hold the horses. Let’s see what happens after the elections.”
Although Mark has continued his projects, he does have some concerns about the future of SA’s economy.
Like many other business owners, he hopes the party elected to lead South Africa will grow the country’s economy and provide services where they are needed.
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“Political parties need to remember where the money comes from.”
Once political leadership is elected, Mark hopes more attention will be given to Edenvale.
“There is a large focus on the aerotropolis project, but the peripheral areas are not really receiving attention.
“Edenvale has always been left out. We are sitting with basic issues, like roads and stormwater infrastructure in disrepair.
“I don’t know how many factories have left the Eastleigh area since the 2016 floods, but I know there have been quite a few.”
Mark also believes there is a strong need to improve visible policing and security across South Africa.
