Western Extension resident and Ward 28 Clr Malanie Haggard is a second-term councillor and reminds the public that the role of a councillor is to represent the community in council.
She said the job requires passion and a love for the community, adding that her willingness to make a difference in people’s lives is what keeps her going.
Homestead Dam is what Haggard calls her “Blue Flag Project”, where she is overseeing the upgrades to facilities, which include the 2km walkway that was scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
“I would like to include additional park facilities if the budget is available for this, which will include five picnic spots with braai stands and gym equipment, and a jungle gym for the kids.”
Haggard’s five priorities in Ward 28:
• Homestead Dam park and ablution facilities
• Water hyacinth
• Burst/leaking pipes
• Blocked sewerage pipes
• By-law infringements, including people camping at Homestead Dam and speeding in Farrarmere and Lakefield.
Five challenges in Ward 28:
• Littering at Homestead Dam.
• Sewage running into Homestead Dam. Haggard has already contacted the Department of Water and Sanitation regarding the issue.
• Old water infrastructure and the turnaround time for a burst pipe being six to eight hours, which, Haggard said, is a waste of water.
• Sewerage blockages that cause an overflow in properties are very common.
• The EMPD not having proper resources to enforce by-laws and the issue of vagrants.
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In an effort to attend to all residents’ issues, Haggard has created a service delivery WhatsApp group for each community and a Facebook group called Ekurhuleni Ward 28.
She urged residents to understand that she cannot always give a prompt response to complaints.
Haggard attends CPF and residents’ association meetings and hosts three public meetings a year.
One-on-one meetings can be set up, but residents should be patient as her ward covers a large area and she deals with a high number of requests and issues.
“I know that I have not always been able to address all queries, but residents can contact me and I will explain why I was not able to address a certain issue,” she said.
She also wants to remind residents of the importance of reference numbers as the call centre generates a job card which becomes a tracking system for her and the management departments.
Ward 28 is made up of Lakefield, Farrarmere and Alphen Park.
Contact Haggard on 074 543 3992.
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