May 2011 Newsletter - The Election Special
Remember that the 5000 Club consists of residents, friends and business people who live or work in the Greater Sandton Constituency area. It goes out every so often with an update on parliament and political activity in Johannesburg. PLEASE add friends to this group or email me their addresses. We now have over 4100 readers and hope to grow it to 5000!
Stop Press: Public Meeting - Meet Maimane
Meet Musi Maimane, the DA mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, on Monday, 9 May, at the Rosebank Primary School – corner Jellicoe and Bath Avenues, Rosebank. Come 6:30 for 7:00 for a cup of coffee and talk to your ward candidate too. Topic for the evening “How the DA can win Johannesburg.”
In this issue:
- DA launches election campaign in Kliptown Soweto
- Meet your candidates
- Prospects for 2011
DA launches election Campaign in Kilptiown Soweto:
About 4000 DA members met at the Walter Sisulu Memorial Square on 24 March to officially launch our election campaign and table our manifesto for change for the 2011 local government elections. Interspersed with vibrant music, drama and colourful song items, DA leaders from across South Africa delivered key note speeches along the theme: “The DA delivers for all” Short video clips of the speeches and event are available at http://www.da.org.za
Meet Your Candidates:
Tim Truluck – new ward 117
Ward 117 is the new kid on the block in The Parks area of northern Johannesburg. It stretches from Braam Fischer Ave (Blairgowrie) in the west to Oxford St (Saxonwold) in the east. Watch out the opening of the Gautrain Station at Rosebank in the next month. Tim has been a Parkhurst resident since 1997. “I have been involved with the Parkhurst Resident's Association since 2004 where my special interest was the environment. I graduated from UCT in 2003 with an MA in Environmental & Geographical Science. I have been working as a researcher for Mutengo Consulting for the past 4 years and have worked on projects as diverse as Volunteerism in the Catholic Church to an Analysis of Child Rights Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa. I am also the leader of the Johannesburg branch of Slow Food and am passionate about local and seasonal foods in and around Johannesburg.” Tim can be reached on 0836192419 or email on tim@mutengo.co.za.
Shadrack Mkhonto – Ward 105
Ward 105 includes the Far East bank in Alexandra township and is a challenge for the DA as it represents a new voter market. Shadrack stood previously as the DA candidate for ward 107 in this area and holds the record for the highest number of DA votes in a ward in Alexandra. He has worked tirelessly as a community leader since 2000, insisting on the relocation of people in dangerous conditions to nearby RDP housing built via the Alexandra Renewal Project. He Joined the DA in 2001 and has been working for the Democratic Alliance as a Constituency Operations Manager. Shadrack is married and lives in Alexandra. Reach him on 0794441464 or email on shadrack@region.da.org.za
GordonMackay – Ward 90
29 year old Gordon Mackay is the sitting councillor for Ward 90 and possess a Masters Degree in International Studies and African Governance from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He was first elected Councillor for Ward 90 in July 2009 and was the first ever Councillor to introduce a ward-based business plan to promote accountability and drive delivery of key projects in the Ward. He has actively promoted the interests of Ward 90 at Council and currently serves as the DA's spokesperson in the City for advertising. In 2010, Gordon participated in the DA's prestigious Young Leaders Programme. Ward 90 includes Sandhurst, Hyde Park, Parkmore, Hurlingham, Craighall, Craighall Park, Dunkeld and parts of Illovo. You can reach Gordon on his cell 0832557461 or email him at gordon.mackay81@googlemail.com
David Potter – Ward 102
David Potter is not new to dealing with municipal queries and has become known for getting the fastest response from city officials on potholes, broken street lights and the like. He was recently complimented as identifying, logging and resolving problems long before the ANC even knows they have occurred!
Having been involved in the Community since the age of 17, David is well versed in handling the issues of Randburg and surrounds such as illegal land use, infrastructural problems, and revenue related queries – just to name a few. If you live in Ward 102, please be in contact with David to enquire how you can assist on Election Day as well as assist within the Ward in the municipal term to come.
Ward 102 Suburbs: Blairgowrie (part), Bordeaux, Ferndale (part), President Ridge, Willowild, Hurlingham Manor, Bryanston (part), Fontainebleau, Moret, Malanshof, Ruiterhof, Mill Hill, Country Life Park & Randburg CBD. Reach David on 082 885 9688 or david@oursuburb.co.za
Sasekisa “Reggie” Mabasa – Ward 75
Reggie has been involved in the Alexandra community for many years and has been working as a community worker there since 2007. He has served in the Community Policing Forum doing street patrols and has assisted the local and provincial government in identifying those families needing relocation to RDP housing. Ward 75 is currently a shantytown with many people needing new housing. There are significant drainage problems that the city has failed to remedy for many years. Reggie has worked for the Democratic Alliance as a Sustainable Development Co-ordinator since 2010. You can reach Reggie on his cell 0838676535 or on email at reggiesbaneka@webmail.co.za
Darren Bergman – Ward 32
Darren Bergman has been a Councillor for over ten years since he was elected the youngest Johannesburg Councillor at the age of 23. He currently holds the position of DA safety spokesperson for Johannesburg. He is standing in Ward 32 which covers Greenstone, Modderfontein, Linbro Park, Buccleuch, Far East Bank (Alexandra) and Klipfonteinview. This interesting ward is one of the largest and most dynamic in the City of Johannesburg. The DA has labelled it a C - Ward which means that it has a huge threat of being an ANC ward but Darren is in it to win it! Darren created his initial foot print in the ward by creating a Klipfonteinview branch with members that crossed over from the ANC. Darren believes that his experience as an operations director in business and his civic accomplishments in fighting crime and working in the emergency services has given him the correct foundation needed to be an effective public representative. Join Facebook group Ward 32 Johannesburg a Candidates journey to follow Darren's campaign. Contact Darren on 0824568636 or bergman.darren@gmail.comVincent Earp – ward 103
Vincent is the former Headmaster of Wendywood High School and lives in Bryanston. Ward 103 faces several challenges such as deteriorating Infrastructure (water pipes. sewerage pipes, electrical capacity, roads). The Lack of street lights in certain suburbs and protecting our open spaces are a concern to Vincent. To address these challenges Vincent would like to focus on key priorities: 1. Ensure that capital expenditure items are recorded in the City’s integrated development plan. 2. Highlight the issues in the community and encourage residents to write letters to city entities regarding their concerns. 3. Call public meetings to address residents concerns. 4. Act as liaison between the business community, residents and city officials. 5. Empower the residents. By giving them the tools to fight poor service delivery. 6. Monitor and protect our Parks and open spaces. You can reach Vincent on 0798822652 or email atvearp@iafrica.com
Alan Fuchs – Ward 109
Alan has vast experience as a councillor. He was elected in 1995 for the first time and has served 10 years as a ward councillor and 5 years as a PR (List) councillor. His management expertise enables him to quickly evaluate reports of council and get to the nub of the issue. He has worked in Alexandra and is committed to the upliftment of that community. Poverty alleviation and an improvement in service delivery in ward 109 are his main objectives, while a lack of by-law enforcement and corruption are his pet hates. Ward 109 includes suburbs such as Gallo Manor, Woodmead, Wendywood, Kelvin, Marlboro and a section of Alexandra township. Alan can be reached on 0834448703 or email on AFuchs@edcon.co.zaAndrew Stewart – Ward 91
Andrew Stewart has been a DA PR or list councillor for two years in Johannesburg, during which he has served in a diverse range of areas, from Eldorado Park, Lenasia, to Bryanston and now Ward 91, which comprises four avenues of Alex and the suburbs of Bramly Park, Inanda, Strathavon, and sections of Illovo and Athol. Andrew has been active in organising football tournaments in Alexandra and Midrand, and is a serving member of the DA's provincial youth executive.
"Ward 91 is a highly winnable ward for the DA, and due to it's composition, affords the councillor and DA the perfect opportunity to prove to a broad spectrum of residents that the DA provides better service to all" Andrew can be reached on 0835640027 or on email at daward91@gmail.comPr or list Councillors
Patrick Atkinson
Patrick has served as the DA’s Finance spokesperson in the City of Johannesburg for the past few years. He is currently a PR or list councillor and is standing for re-election. He has been the DA shadow councillor for ward 109 (currently an ANC ward) and has served as the chairman of the Sandton Constituency. Patrick believes that the DA can win ward 109 from the ANC and is working tirelessly in this campaign to bring that about. Patrick can be reached on his cell 0834452059 or on his email atpatrick@nthdegreefmc.com
Linus Muller
Linus Muller places a high premium on customer satisfaction and is at the fore front in getting billing queries escalated and resolved - so much so that he has laid criminal charges against Amos Masondo and Parks Tau and regularly escalates queries to the Public Protector. Linus is a community activist in Blairgowrie and is one of the founding members of the Blairgowrie Community Association. He is a Project Manager by trade and has also been involved in managing a call centre with his current employer. “I’m looking forward to implementing these skills and talents in the City of Jo’burg when the DA takes over on 19 May. I support the vision of having a fully operational call centre within 200 days of being in office.” Reach Linus on 0829049223 orlinus.muller@vodamail.co.za
Martin Verwey Martin Verwey is a practicing attorney with his own firm situated in Bryanston. Martin has recently joined the DA in an active role after almost a decade serving the local branch of an international rights non-profit organisation dealing with human rights. Martin is serving as the DA Campaign Manager for Ward 32, as well as contesting the upcoming Municipal elections as a PR or list Councillor. Martin currently holds LLB and LLM degrees(Import and Export Law) Martin can be reached on 0724194546 or martinverwey@gmail.com
Clive Dryden
Clive is the newest member of the Sandton team. He is a Chartered Accountant in audit and tax practice. After qualifying, he completed a two year post grad diploma in Tax Law. “I have held a number of positions in commerce as financial manager or financial director, before returning to the profession. I have also been involved in many entrepreneurial ventures.” Hence his desire to serve the DA in the financial field. Clive founded the Duxberry Security Association which he chaired for two years. “Here again I believe my experience in setting up an organisation on a volunteer basis will be valuable. “ Contact Clive on clive@pdtours.co.za
Prospects for 2011:The DA is well placed in this election and pundits are pointing to huge growth in support in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (Port Elizabeth), Pretoria (Tshwane) and Johannesburg as well as retaining our strong foothold in the Western Cape. Poor service delivery has hit the ruling party hard and the daily protests around the country bear testimony to that. In this local government election, we need every DA voter to get up on May 18, take their green ID book and go to their local polling station to vote. Only with a large voter turnout can we win Johannesburg, but win it we must. However we have never had this level of support and therein lies our very first opportunity to win Johannesburg!
The Democratic Alliance rocks a march in Alexandra - Sandton, 29 January 2011
Polling stations are open 7am to 7pm on 18 May.Useful stuff: You may find more detail on our political activity here: www.da.org.za and at www.ianollis.com.
See www.elections.org.za for the IEC and ward details or call the DA Jo’burg office on 011 242 8802.My weekly opinion pieces run in www.thedailymaverick.co.za – see Opinionistas
Remember: Voter apathy kills a healthy democracy!
Thank you
