Since the resignation of Ward 5 councillor Helen Carstens, steps have been taken to continue having services delivered to the areas in this ward.
Ward 5 includes Bothasig, Edgemead, Burgundy Estate and Richwood.
The plans for going forward was discussed at a community meeting last week where James Vos, Mayco member for economic growth, met with the Bothasig Residents Association (BRA).
This week Vos confirmed to TygerBurger that he was assigned to assist with the affairs in Ward 5 in his capacity as a proportional councillor (PR) until the new ward councillor is elected. The by-election is scheduled to take place in October this year.
“Indeed my position in the City government as the mayoral committee member responsible for the economic growth portfolio keeps me busy with programmes and policy formulation that supports business retention and expansion to help with investment opportunities and job creation for Cape Town. My priority is to see that Cape Town is the easiest place to do business in Africa.
“My team and I are constantly on the lookout for new ways to broaden the participation and diversity of the city’s economic landscape through business partners within high growth industries such as tourism and manufacturing.
Part of the support we channel through these partnerships includes funding programmes that help unemployed Capetonians to source knowledge, training, and job opportunities. We also recognise the value in boosting start-ups and entrepreneurs with enterprise development mechanisms, as well as our dedicated investment promotion and facilitation services that help drive demand and supply for Cape-based products by creating market access,” says Vos.
Carstens, who has been working as a ward councillor for eight years, resigned last month. She indicated that she wishes to spend more time with her family and that her decision was a difficult one to make.
Vos, who has served as a ward councillor in the area before, says he will endeavour to be of assistance wherever possible.
“It was during my time as the previous ward councillor where I learnt a great deal of what was expected from a public representative to meet the demands and expectations from the residents and community-based organisations while overseeing the delivery of municipal infrastructure and services to keep moving forward. I really enjoyed working with the community to achieve a safe, clean and well run ward. This is as an opportunity to rejuvenate relationships for the benefit of the ratepayers and all those working to improve the well-being of our community.
“To be a councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service. It is a great feeling to return to my old stomping ground. This is a position to make a difference to the quality of people’s lives and their prospects, requiring hard work and commitment,” Vos says.
The DA is currently busy with interviews to select a suitable candidate for this ward.
“The selection process involves the highest and rigorous standards to ensure that we deliver a satisfactory outcome that will inspire hope and confidence. We plan to announce the DA candidate towards the end of this month to do introductions to community based organisations and direct voter contact,” he says.
The BRA confirmed on their social media page that they had met with Vos on Wednesday night last week and that Vos as well as the DA PR councillor for Dunoon, Miquette Temlett, will be assisting in Ward 5 until the new councillor is elected on 12 October. “So services will not suffer over the next two months,” they say.
BRA also gave him a list of issues requiring urgent attention.
