Seeing a municipal councillor getting their hands dirty in public service to the community is a sight to behold. Some may say it’s a sight for sore eyes, but that entirely depends on whom you ask.
“My portfolio is Governance and Compliance. My understanding of this position is being the voice of the voiceless, being a public servant. Let me introduce myself; my name is Sindile Gravel and I was born in Mbekweni.”
He serves the valley as proportional councillor for Drakenstein Municipality. The 28-year-old made history in 2021 during the Local Government Elections as the youngest elected councillor in the Drakenstein Valley.
To him, however, age does not define his career and neither does politics. “It’s not that important,” Gravel says. “I believe age, gender or creed should not be a determiner of who should occupy public office, and politics is not reserved for people of a certain age or gender. South Africans need us all to participate and tend to them as a community.
“I don’t see politics as a career. It should be something for everyone, and not just the select few who are elected to portfolios.”
Gravel sees himself as a community activist driven by a love for his community and people. “Therefore my motto for good governance is people should take matters into their own hands.”
His path to public office was carved out in one of the founding branches of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) of Azania, located in Paarl. He ran a campaign as its ward 12 representative.
“The campaign was focused on delivering the best community service through aligning the party’s vision, which seeks to rebuild our communities and society at large,” he says. “This is based on principles of unity among our people, equal access to socio-economic opportunities – ultimately building an egalitarian society.”
But Gravel’s roots are nestled firmly in his home town.
“Mbekweni is in me, Drakenstein is in me. And as a member of the third generation born here I describe Drakenstein/Mbekweni as my ancestral land.”
He shares concerns with the likes of Sindile Msebenzi, Mbekweni actor and puppeteer, who expressed very desperate concern over Mbekweni’s prospects.
“From where I am sitting unfortunately there is no future when I look at the high rate of unemployment, inequality and violence being directed towards women.”
A glimmer of hope remains in him, though, having witnessed a shift in people’s mindsets. “I see young ones wanting to become entrepreneurs and people shifting towards self-reliance, and that’s what keeps me positive about the future.”
Here, Gravel gave a shout-out to Mbekweni’s green guru, Siyabonga Stengana, who has become famous for converting illegal dump sites into recreational spaces.
“I love to see Siyabonga as an active citizen taking the initiative in tackling a solvable problem instead of complaining. I plead with Drakenstein Municipality to arm him with resources so he can be better able to share the great vision he has for his beloved Mbekweni.
“I hope to see him one day, and reap the benefits of good citizenship and hard work.”
He believes the municipality should create awareness programmes on the dangers of unhygienic spaces and create legitimate dump sites.
“People should be encouraged to improve their environment while empowering them through knowledge to recycle in even the most technical sense.
“In my term I would love to establish projects that will upskill our people and enable them to be self-reliant. I want to energise arts, culture and help families fight drug and substance dependency.”
Already, Gravel has launched a mental-health programme in which five people have been enrolled so far.
“I want to ensure great service for everyone and also ensure decent cemeteries to honour the departed and respect the bereaved, especially the forgotten cemetery at Dal Josaphat.”
