With a wealth of experience in council matters Mayco member for spatial planning an environment in the previous term Marian Nieuwoudt was appointed as new subcouncil 2 chair for the next five-year political term at the inaugural sitting of the subcouncil last week.
With a 26-year long journey as a City councillor Nieuwoudt plans to set a new benchmark.
In her acceptance speech Nieuwoudt said the communities within the subcouncil deserve the best government that can be provided by the subcouncil which is the government closest to the people.
“Our area consists of the cosmopolitan communities of Wallacedene, Bloekombos, Kraaifontein, Brackenfell and a part of Kuils River.
“Although not a materially rich community, we are service communities with a deep characteristically goodwill among each other. It is this goodwill that we as leaders must foster and build upon,” she says.
She terms the rapid growing area as one of Cape Town’s hotspots for urbanisation, even though it is on the boundary of the City.
She tasked the local councillors with assessing the challenges, problems and opportunities that come with rapid urbanisation in order to establish a plan of action to empower people to become self-sustainable within the legal confinements.
“Challenges presented in the area ranges from extreme poverty to community degradation and anxiety brought about by the growing unemployment, diminishing resources and widening gap between skills and opportunity.”
Nieuwoudt says an assessment tool will be provided to each councillor in the subcouncil based on a street-to-street assessment.
She reflected on the history of the subcouncil as one where support and cooperation beyond party politics has flourished over the years.
“We may differ on the road to take, but we all aim to facilitate prosperity and resilience.”
She said attention in the upcoming term will be given to homeownership, efficient and reliable services and a functioning infrastructure.
Needs to be addressed will include sewerage overflow, need for shelter, road congestion and the management of open spaces.
“The aim should always be to build, to create to dignify and respect.”
Nieuwoudt expressed her conviction and believes in the local councillors to lift the community into a new season of hope, change and a place in the sun for all during the next five years.
“Let this term be the best five years of your life. Our communities have the ability to walk along us to a better tomorrow.”
