Question - Introduce yourself, Name, Surname and Party
Answer - My name is Naeem Patel and I am the Ward Councillor Candidate for the ANC
Question - Tell us about yourself and why did you decide to stand as Ward 61 Councillor?
Answer - I am an active member of our community, politically & socially, since the age of 9. Family has always been of extreme importance to me and therefore I will always fight for the safety and accessibility of basic facilities for our community families. Cllr Essop has built and established several foundations in our community which I am ready to build on, ultimately building on his legacy. I have a deep founded passion for serving the community which was amplified when I assisted members of the community during the COVID pandemic.
Question - Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town?
Answer - I am and have always been a people’s person. I love being around people, meeting and interacting and helping people. Ward 61 has always been my home, so no matter where I am in Ward 61, as long as there are people I can meet with & assist, that’s my favourite place.
Question - If elected, what three steps would you take to make our town a better place?
Answer - First, it would be important to ensure that the water issue is addressed & resolved. By this I mean that we need to get secure funds from the provincial government (which is ANC controlled), if necessary, to build the additional reservoir. Second, is the housing for Itireleng, White Blocks & the ward in general. Third, the crime issue has to be addressed, starting with petty crimes & strengthening the CPF in Laudium & Erasmia.
Question - List the issues we currently face in our Ward!
Answer - There are various issues in our community. The most critical being the supply of water, electricity and the high cost of electricity and housing. We can take this a step further and raise concerns about the dumping of waste, community places and parks not being maintained. We need to also focus on substance abuse and assisting women and children in our community. The relocation of Itireleng & housing for the people of Itireleng, White Blocks in particular, and of course the rest of the ward.
Question - How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town?
Answer - Other than reintroducing ward committees & sector committees into our ward, it is important to understand the needs and concerns of our community that vary from area to area. To make an active change one needs to be skilled and savvy enough to raise and champion these issues within the Council. Consulting with various leaders, religious leaders and organisations in the community would always remain central. This is simply because the residents of our ward understand best the assistance they require.
Question - Why should the community vote for you? What difference do you see yourself making?
Answer - I have served the community for a very long time, without any compensation or being in a position of authority. From my experience I have gained the necessary skills to champion the needs of our community and ensure that our community is a place we can be proud of. I am and will always be dedicated to serving our community.
