Stefanie Ueckermann (28), from the Democratic Alliance, is the new ward councillor for Ward 105.
Stefanie lives in Dalpark and has been married to Jaco for nine months.
Ward 101 comprises Dalview, Dalpark Extension One, Larrendale, Kenleaf, Rand Collieries, Denneoord, Vulcania, Sallies Village, Minnebron, Soneveld, Sunair Park and Carnival Industrial Park.
• What are your immediate plans for the ward?
Firstly, getting operational items like potholes and illegal dumping sorted in the given time frame.
Secondly, to establish a strong ward committee to support me in my duties as a councillor.
Thirdly, re-looking at the IDP (budget) items of the ward and making sure I prioritise specific capital needs, like clinics, sporting facilities and a major water supply upgrade for Dalview.
• As a ward councillor, what is your role in council?
To represent my residents in council.
To vote on the budget and propose a better budget to benefit all the residents.
To submit petitions on their behalf.
To put in motions against council on policies or by-laws to the benefit of my residents.
To ask questions of the mayor and MMCs on behalf of my residents.
To make sure freedom, fairness and opportunities are included in all policies and items passed by council.
To make sure the executive of council upholds the constitution and act in the best benefit of all residents of my ward and the whole metro.
• How do you intend to help the residents of your ward?
I am my residents’ voice.
When they have a problem all they need to do is get a reference number from the call centre by logging the complaint on 086 054 3000.
Send me the complaint with full details and the reference number.
I will call the officials directly and give feedback on the turn around time or how we will deal with the issue.
• There is a lot of development going on in Brakpan, where do you see the town in five years?
It all depends, all the residents of Brakpan, including myself and the other councillors, need to take pride in our town and take hands to bring change.
Development is a very good thing, but it needs to be managed properly.
• For how long have you been a member of the DA?
Since 2012
• What sparked your interest in politics?
I was a high school teacher and saw how our education system was going down the drain.
I decided to go into politics and do my Masters in Education Policy Development with the aim of going to parliament in the future and having a positive influence on the minds of our future generations.
• Do you have any hobbies or special interests?
I can be classified as a lifelong learner, as I’m still studying.
I’m busy with my Honours degree in psychology, with the plan of doing my Masters in psychology next year.
I also wrote two policy outlines in education – the one is on non-profit early childhood facilities, the other is on the structure of our high schools.
I play and coach hockey.
I have a new interest in photography and I do all kinds of crafts.
I have a few charity projects running in the background.
• Name three things you couldn’t live without?
My religion, husband and phone.
• If you had the power to solve only one problem in the world, what would it be and why?
The lack of acceptance amongst people.
If you accept me for who I am, how I look and what colour I am, how I speak and what language I speak, the sexual orientation I have, my abilities and my disabilities, my age and where I come from, thus accepting me for just being the best me I can be, we will have fewer wars, less hatred, less racism, less xenophobia, less homophobia and we will have more love, peace and understanding for one another.
• What are you most afraid of?
I’m not really afraid of earthly things, but I do have the fear of losing my loved ones, especially my husband.
• How can residents get hold of you?
On 0765419717 or via email at stefanie.ueckermann@gmail.com
