After almost a decade Helen Carstens, Ward 5 councillor, has decided to step aside.
She now hopes to spend more time with her family, she says.
Ward 5 includes Annandale Farm, Bothasig, Burgundy Estate, Edgemead and Richwood.
Carstens shared the news of her resignation with residents on social media on Tuesday 19 July.
“It has been my absolute privilege and honour to have served as your ward councillor over the past terms. I have met and interacted with so many wonderful people and associations and clubs. I have had the pleasure of the many projects in the ward that will still be there long after we are not.
“I have made a difficult decision, one that will remove me from public office and vacating my seat, however, I must say that it has made me realise that nothing is more important than family. Therefore, I will be taking time out now to be with my family,” Carstens wrote.
Last week she told TygerBurger that this has been a very difficult decision, as she loved the job she was doing.
“Sometimes there comes a time in your life when you look at where you are and where you should be, and that is where I was at. I felt my family had taken a back seat for eight years, well actually more than eight years, and that the time has come to focus on them more and enjoy time with those that I love the most. I do not want to live thinking about what I should have done or could have done. It was, for all purposes, a quick decision,” Carstens says.
Career highlights
She was asked about some of her career highlights, to which she responded saying: “Career high points were certainly those engaging with the many seniors in the ward, with seeing a project roll out and with being able to capacitate and assist so many.”
The much needed road resurfacing on Wimbledon Way in Edgemead and Adam Tas in Bothasig were indeed highlights, she says.
“Being a ward councillor enables the opportunity to get to know, engage and help many, many people. It also gave me the opportunity to do many upgrades in the ward.
“Notably one of those is the extension to the Edgemead Library. This library is very active and involved in many activities and host to many activities that previously all had to take place within the library, often to the detriment of library patrons. This extension is definitely a legacy project that will be around servicing the community long after you and I are both gone.”
The wonderful additions to the parks in the ward; the multi-purpose courts of which more are planned to be rolled out at other parks in the coming months; the De Grendel Park in Bothasig which residents enjoy; the Bend Park in Edgemead, described as a great feature as it is a fully inclusive park with play equipment, disability equipment, gym equipment and a walking track, are all some of the career highlights, she says.
The food gardens at the Bothasig Community Hall and the Edgemead Library will also be there for years to come and will, in time, be an attraction for the community and provide fresh, healthy produce for all, Carstens says.
“The Memory Park currently being laid out on Edgemead Drive will also be there for many years to come where residents will have a quiet space to remember their departed loved ones.”
One of the most recent projects completed include the long-awaited fence along Woodlands Drive in Richwood.
“I am indeed very happy to have been able to oversee the completion of the Richwood fence,” Carstens says.
Earlier this year she was also involved in the opening of the new school in Bothasig.
“My hope is that residents will take advantage of this new school on their doorsteps as I do believe we were very lucky to have this opportunity.”
Another high point she says is the upgrade to the Bothasig shopping centre that has been a cornerstone in the area for many years.
“I was fortunate to have been involved with that, and a very high point is the arrival of Food Lovers Market at the entrance to Bothasig.”
The store is set to open its doors later this year.
Low points
“I do believe the only low points are the misperception and expectation that exists with regard to what a councillor’s role is. This position is not a popularity contest, it is about who the political party I belonged to, chose to be their representative in the ward. If you vote for that party and believe in that party, how can you then decide you do not like the representative they chose to represent them? It does not make sense. However, I am overwhelmed and very appreciative for all the well wishes I have received from Ward 5. I am very grateful and it was my absolute pleasure to serve Ward 5 for eight years,” Carstens says.
