Salt Rock gears up for Ward 22 by-elections
The ANC's candidate Geoff Chennels will be going up against Privi Makhan, standing for the DA.
Just four weeks after casting their ballots in the national elections, Salt Rock residents will be heading back to the polls to cast their votes in a Ward 22 by-election.
The Electoral Commission confirmed this will be held on Wednesday, June 19, to elect a replacement for DA councillor Malcolm Hubner, who died of a heart attack on 31 March.
The late Hubner was elected to the ward position on 3 July 2014 after taking the helm from DA councillor Anne McDonnell following her promotion to the provincial legislature.
The ANC’s candidate Geoff Chennels will be going up against Privi Makhan, standing for the DA.
Two voting stations are being used: Salt Rock Library and Sizani Combined School, and they will be open from 7am to 9pm.
Ward 22 residents may only vote at the station they are registered at and must bring their identity documents.
Special vote applications will close on 7 June. Forms can be found on the IEC website. Approved special votes can only be cast on 18 June.
Who are the candidates?
DA candidate for Ward 22: Privi Makhan
What are the pressing issues in Ward 22 and what approach will you take?
The issues in Ward 22 vary from a lack of basic service delivery – potholes and verge maintenance, non-functional street lights and lack of traffic calming measures. I believe in a hands-on approach of proactive reporting and monitoring.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I have lived in the Sheffield area, born and bred local. I am married but no kids yet. My favourite spots in town are the Litchi Orchard and Sage. I love supporting local.
If you could drive one issue in Ward 22 what would it be and why?
To continue serving the community with the same passion that the previous two councillors in the ward have done and to play an effective oversight role in local government.
What is your background in experience in community work?
I have been an activist with the DA for a number of years. I served on the previous Ward 22 councillor’s committee as ward secretary. I am also the DA women’s network constituency chair and have been active in the women’s network since 2017. I have driven many projects such as the Knysna relief effort, the water drive for both KwaDukuza and Cape Town and I have been closely involved in the sanitary dignity campaign.
ANC candidate Geoff Chennels
What are the pressing issues in Ward 22 and what approach will you take?
My primary objective is for residents of Ward 22 to get active in the greater KDM region and not to “hide behind walls” and complain about service delivery all the time.
My secondary objective is tackling service delivery and prioritising community based policing.
Briefly tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in 1980 and lived in Zululand until moving to Salt Rock in 1989. I went to Umhlali Preparatory school and high school at Michaelhouse. After studying for my BCom degree I travelled abroad and lived in Tanzania. I moved back to Salt Rock in 2007 and settled down with my wife to raise our two sons.
If you could drive one issue in Ward 22 what would it be and why?
I would also like to prioritize our beaches both from a cleanliness point of view and also upgrading of our beach facilities. I also think that our region is in desperate need of an affordable government high school, feeding on from Umhlali Preparatory. I would engage with all relevant stakeholders in order to explore options to make this a reality.
What is your background/experience in community work?
In Tanzania, I was involved in a sports coaching programme which ultimately took kids off the streets and away from drugs. Within the few years that I was involved we had many success stories. One of which was taking someone off the streets and having never seen a rugby ball in his life and only ever knowing poverty, after two years he was representing his country and travelling the continent playing sport. The spin-off was all the youngsters he inspired.
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