Miquette Temlett has been elected as the new councillor for Ward 5 which includes the areas Bothasig, Edgemead, Richwood and Burgudy Estate.
A municipal by-election was held across the ward on Wednesday 12 October. On Thursday the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) issued a statement in which they confirmed the outcome of the results.
The vacancy for the position was due to the resignation of the previous councillor, Helen Carstens.
The by-election was contested by candidates of the Africa Restoration Alliance (ARA), Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP).
Temlett is a DA councillor. The party retained the seat won in the 2021 municipal elections, the IEC said.
Happy with new role
“I am extremely happy with the outcome of the election. A more than 92% of the vote means that the residents of Ward 5 have put their trust in the DA once again to deliver and I will personally do my utter best to address the concerns and needs of the residents in Bothasig, Edgemead, Richwood, Burgundy and De Zicht,” Temlett said following her victory.
She already has a few issues she plans to focus on.
“Roads and infrastructure are the biggest concerns in the area which I will put my main focus on. This includes roads maintenance and reinstatement, parks maintenance and the cleanliness and tidiness of the ward.
“I also am already in the process of creating a communication network as well in order to communicate more effectively and regularly with residents in Ward 5.”
Temlett started working in the operational structures of the DA in 2008. “I was elected as a PR councillor for the City of Cape Town in November 2021. I have a degree in Human and Social Sciences with specialisation in psychological counselling and art counselling,” she explained.
Community welcomes new councillor
Her appointment as councillor was welcomed by the local Bothasig Residents Association (BRA).
“The Bothasig Residents Association welcomes the new ward councillor. Our problems with the previous ward councillor are well documented, so having someone with a fresh approach is great. Councillor Temlett is in almost daily contact with our association and she has plans to hold regular online public meetings where residents can speak to her directly about issues that concern them.
“The BRA looks forward to working together with the new ward councillor in a positive manner to overcome the challenges our suburb faces in terms of service delivery issues. Community engagement was lacking in the past, so we are encouraged by her approach,” said Derek Serra, BRA chair.
The association will be introducing the residents of Bothasig to its new ward councillor at their AGM to be held at the Bothasig Community Hall on Wednesday 26 October at 19:00.
According to the IEC there are 23 258 registered voters in Ward 5. Voter turnout on Wednesday last week was 24,59%, with special votes conducted on Tuesday 11 October.
