Get to know ward 22 councillor Ruhan Robinson

Ruhan Robinson has been Ward 22’s councillor for four years.

Robinson previously described himself as supportive and an approachable person who is open to ideas, which he believes are characteristics that will make him a unique councillor.

He was born in Mpumalanga and moved to Boksburg, where he completed his primary and high school education.

Robinson holds a Bcom law and LLB degrees.

Close-up with Robinson:

Q: What are the roles and responsibilities of a ward councillor?

A: As a councillor, I am tasked with being a link between residents and Ekurhuleni. I see the role of a councillor much like that of a non-executive director, with no executive responsibilities. While I cannot give instructions to officials to carry out, I have the right to expect that reasonable requests must be carried out in terms of the standards set in place by the City of Ekurhuleni. I also have an oversight responsibility both in my ward and over the departments I have been assigned to.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you face in your ward and how do you plan on tackling these issues?

My ward is struggling with street light outages for long periods of time, unacceptably long turnaround times for sewer overflows, unpredictability of refuse removal and illegal land use.

Tackling Issues:

With regards to both the issues affecting street lights and long turnaround times of sewers, I am working on campaigns to address these issues and highlight the frustration of residents. In terms of refuse removal, I am engaging the department almost daily to stick to timetables and deliver services to residents as expected. Illegal land use is a particularly difficult issue to deal with as it involves private property and requires legal intervention. I am constantly engaging Ekurhuleni’s legal department about issues of this nature, but these matters take particularly long to deal with.

Q: What is the highlight of your role so far?

A: When, as a councillor, you are faced with the same issue every other day and all your hard work finally pays off, I think any one of us would be in seventh heaven. For me, it was when, after more than two years of fighting, Ekurhuleni finally agreed to secure cables that got stolen along Atlas Road and Elizabeth Road, sometimes twice a week.

Q: What was the biggest lesson you learned during the lockdown?

A: To be more grateful for what I have. I never realised how fortunate I was, until I saw how easily good fortune could be swept away.

Q: Did you learn any new skills during the lockdown?

A: I thought I learned how to be patient. That didn’t last very long. I’m as impatient as ever.

Q: Can you give us five interesting things about yourself?

A: I am the youngest of three children; I became an uncle when I was six months old.
· At one stage, I was the youngest councillor in Gauteng, at the age of 24.
· I have misophonia so I cannot stand loud chewing or slurping noises.
· I have a deathly fear of spiders.
· I used to work as a copy editor and find it very difficult to not want to correct poor spelling, even when it is inconsequential.

Q: What other hobbies do you have besides politics?

A: I’m very social and love spending time with and getting to know people. When I’m not around people I like reading about other countries and cultures. I also like gaming online #ZAGA.

Q: Where can residents get hold of you?

A: I can be contacted on 079 816 1515
ruhan.robinson@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Facebook: Ward 22 Service Group
There are also currently five Ward 22 WhatsApp groups that residents can ask to join.

Also Read: Ward councillor laments Boksburg North Swimming Pool’s lack of maintenance

Also Read: Ward 22 councillor Robinson to focus on crime, ageing infrastructure