State of the ward address from councillor, as 4 November fast approaches!

Democratic Alliance (DA) Ward 98 councillor candidate, Mickey van der Westhuizen, has passionately outlined his strategy to retain the ward in the upcoming Local Government Elections in 4 November 2026, setting his sights on strengthening service delivery, improving community engagement and addressing residents’ concerns across Akasia.

Ward 98 covers several established residential areas, including Theresapark, Clarina, Dorandia, Klerksoord, Heatherdale, Hesteapark, Thornbrook Golf Estate, Wolmer and Amandasig.

The ward encompasses communities with diverse needs and expectations, placing service delivery, infrastructure maintenance and neighbourhood safety among the issues likely to shape the local election campaign.

As the DA, which has been in charge for over 10 years, seeks to maintain its position in the ward, and Van der Westhuizen’s strategy will be measured against his ability to respond to residents’ everyday challenges and demonstrate tangible progress on local priorities.

Issues such as road and pavement maintenance, waste management, street cleanliness, reliable municipal services and improved street lighting are central to the responsibilities residents expect their elected representatives to address.

Beyond municipal service delivery, community safety, economic opportunities and effective communication between residents and their councillor are also likely to feature prominently in discussions about Ward 98’s future.

For many residents, the key question is whether their concerns are heard, reported to the relevant authorities and followed through until meaningful action is taken.

Van der Westhuizen’s campaign therefore presents an opportunity to explain how he intends to build on his ward-level experience, strengthen accountability and ensure that the needs of communities across Akasia remain a priority. As the election approaches, residents will be looking for clear commitments, practical solutions and a credible plan for the continued development of Ward 98.

In his submission to the Akasia Express Online, Van der Westhuizen, outlined the below pledges and why he deserves to be in charge of the highly contested ward.

MY PLEDGE TO WARD 98 – MICKEY VAN DER WESTHUIZEN…

My commitment to Ward 98 is to remain visible, accessible, proactive and accountable, while building stronger systems that help us solve problems faster and make sure our communities are heard.

SAFER COMMUNITIES!

I want to create stronger cooperation between security companies, CPF structures, neighbourhood safety groups, AfriForum, TMPD, SAPS and other community partners.

The plan is to improve communication between these structures, strengthen participation in crime-prevention groups, identify crime hotspots and ensure that communities are not working in isolation.

I will also work with our representatives in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to keep pressure on the relevant authorities where policing and provincial intervention are required.

BETTER SCHOOLS IN WILLEM CRUYWAGEN

I will continue engaging the relevant provincial departments regarding the two schools along Willem Cruywagen.

The objective is to push for properly functioning schools with running water, reliable electricity, suitable equipment and dignified learning conditions.

I will work with provincial representatives, school leadership and the responsible departments to track problems and commitments until meaningful progress is made.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH KLERKSOORD

Klerksoord is one of our ward’s biggest economic assets.

I want to establish a business and employment communication network connecting willing businesses in Klerksoord with unemployed residents and young people in surrounding communities.

When businesses advertise vacancies, learnerships, apprenticeships or internships, residents should have quick access to that information and the opportunity to apply.

The goal is simple: bring opportunities closer to our people.

A BETTER SERVICE-DELIVERY TRACKING SYSTEM

Residents should not have to report the same pothole, water leak, broken streetlight or electricity problem repeatedly without knowing what happened to it.

I want to improve the way Ward 98 records and tracks service-delivery complaints.

The system should record the problem, location, reference number, responsible department, escalations and progress.

This will help us identify recurring problems, infrastructure hotspots and areas where departments continually fail to respond.

We need to become more proactive and less reactive.

COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT AND CLEANER NEIGHBOURHOODS

I want to work closely with communities, NPOs and Community Upliftment Programme initiatives so that we can help maintain public spaces where municipal resources are stretched.

This includes cleaning and maintaining neglected areas, improving neighbourhoods and supporting a sustainable programme around our cemetery so that the standard currently achieved can be maintained.

A cleaner ward requires both municipal accountability and community participation.

FIGHTING ILLEGAL DUMPING

Illegal dumping damages our communities and creates additional costs for residents and the City.

I will work with TMPD and relevant departments to identify dumping hotspots, improve enforcement and investigate practical preventative measures at repeatedly affected locations.

The long-term goal must be to make illegal dumping increasingly difficult and hold offenders accountable.

STANDING WITH JUWAGGA RESIDENTS

I will continue engaging the relevant housing authorities regarding residents of Juwagga.

The objective is to pursue better relief and, where legally and practically possible, work towards more suitable and dignified long-term accommodation solutions.

Residents deserve clear communication about what is happening and what options are being considered.

FIGHTING FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE

Ward 98 has clear infrastructure priorities that need sustained pressure and follow-up.

These include the Klerksoord sewer upgrade, Lucas Meyer water-pipe replacement, Oribi Road stormwater and resurfacing, underground electrical infrastructure, development of a Clarina park and a pedestrian walkway along Willem Cruywagen.

Our shorter-term priorities also include traffic calming, streetlight infrastructure, the Platinum Park mini-substation and interventions at dangerous intersections and accident hotspots.

I will continue pushing for these priorities through the City’s planning and budgeting processes and demand proper feedback when projects are delayed or rejected.

MAKING WARD 98’S VOICE HEARD

Our communities must have a meaningful voice in the Integrated Development Plan and municipal budgeting process.

When Ward 98 submits priorities, they should not simply disappear into a system.

I will continue placing our needs on record, motivating them, following up and challenging decisions where our communities are overlooked.

MY PERSONAL COMMITMENT

I will continue standing alongside residents through the everyday battles:

Water leaks.
Power outages.
Potholes.
Broken streetlights.
Overgrown public spaces.
Sewer problems.
Illegal dumping.
Unsafe roads.
And failing infrastructure.

I cannot promise that every municipal problem will disappear overnight.

What I can commit to is showing up, following up, communicating, escalating and continuing to fight for solutions.

My vision is a Ward 98 where communities work together, businesses participate, young people see opportunity, residents feel safer and basic services work the way they should.