I am a resident of Wemmershoek and believe I’m a strong leader along with many others in our community. In the edition of 27 November 2025, a photograph and caption was published about a committee that was established in our community (“Nuwe leierskap vir Wemmershoek”, Eikestadnuus).
I am assuming this information was shared with the newspaper by Isaac Davids. However, some of our strong community leaders feel aggrieved by this information and believe the information supplied is not accurate.
This committee, in fact, does not represent Wemmershoek as a whole.
It is our understanding that the meeting held was specifically aimed at backyard dwellers and that it aimed to highlight the plight for housing in the area.
Thus there are some discrepancies and we request that clarity be provided in this regard. As the broader community, we are looking into this matter.
HELENE FISCHER,
Isaac Davids, chairperson of the Wemmershoek Community, responds: The meeting the writer refers to was a public meeting, which was open to all residents of Wemmershoek. This letter seems to be more of a personal attack, as was done through failed legal action against me in past. Some people have been leading this community for many years and have been biased when it comes to community matters.
The community chose and elected a committee. As a committee, we are here to be the mouthpiece of the community and liaise with the municipality. It is our right to form this organisation.
These so-called community leaders whom the writer refers to have done nothing of value for the community in the past.
They refuse to involve fellow residents and do not want change in Wemmershoek. They are biased and mandated by political parties.
Section 18 of the Constitution refers to Freedom of Association, broadly stating that “everyone has the right to freedom of association”.
This fundamental right is the basis for people to come together and form various civil society organisations, including community groups, for a common objective.
I don’t have time for power plays or to complain about positions in the media.
The community elected me and mandated me to serve them, and I will honour that mandate at all times.
In a bid to work together, I have reached out to the other so-called community leaders on many occasions, but they refused.
