New councillor takes reins of two eThekwini wards
Remona Mckenzie has taken over the position of DA PR ward councillor from Gillian Noyce.
WITH an unbridled passion to help those in need, Durban’s Remona Mckenzie shared her enthusiasm about her new role as the DA PR ward 8 and 103 councillor.
The 42-year-old was born in Port Edward and has, for the last 20 years, come to call eThekwini her home.
She is proficient in four languages, English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa, and is currently learning Sotho and studying risk management.
“I felt the need to learn, expand and grow as it can be difficult to fully relate to someone you are unable to understand. I take interest in learning about cultures and various religions. When you take the time to learn about someone, you are able to realise their challenges and you can better assist them,” said the determined councillor.
She has been with the Democratic Alliance for six years and began her journey with the political party as an activist in Sydenham.
She then moved to its provincial head office before being appointed as the chairperson for ward 28 and 32. To add to her burgeoning schedule, she is also the chairman for the DA Women’s Network (DAWN).
“My gran, who has passed on now, taught me that even if you would give your last plate of food to someone who is homeless, that is what should be done. I have always had the passion to assist. It gives me a lot of joy knowing that you are assisting people and are fulfilling a purpose in life,” said the mother of three.
A subject she holds close to her heart involves campaigns that fight against gender-based violence.
“We need to educate people on their rights, as a woman and as a man. This information desperately needs to be shared on a grassroots level,” said a passionate Mckenzie.
ALSO READ: Win tickets to Gateway’s Sweetopia
“What I found is that women don’t want to report the cases as, when they do gather up the courage, the environment is not friendly enough to share their story and they leave feeling that nothing will be done. It’s disheartening,” said Mckenzie.
She officially took over the role of the councillor for both wards recently and is eager to meet with the various stakeholders across her vast area of coverage.
During December she will drive through her wards to get an insight and jot down the issues she sees.
“Even though December is a time that most people relax, I will not be doing that. I want to become intrinsically involved and find out all of the issues faced by the various communities and address these head on,” she said. “I choose to be transparent and honest at all times. Whatever service delivery issues that residents are facing, I will give my all to try and sort these out. I will be contactable at any time.”
When she does find a gap for some spare time, Mckenzie hits the gym and does her nails.
“I have been told to slow down, but when there is a drive within you, to get something done, you just can’t,” she laughed.
Doing her own nails is also a skill she is keen to share with the unemployed women in her ward as a way for them to help generate an income.
“Beauty is not a defining factor. It is what you carry within that is the most important,” said Mckenzie.
l Her office will be based at the Gillitts Centre and she can be contacted on 081 041 5404 or via email at remona.mckenzie@gmail.com.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts. Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
