The contest for Ward 34 has intensified as the PAC and National Alliance have fielded candidates for the by-election in July.
For the PAC, Ward 34 branch chair and secretary of the party’s northern areas detachment, Alexine Bantam, will be on the ballot.
The National Alliance will be represented by Morne du Plessis.
Ward 34 residents will take to the polls on July 16.
The ward became vacant after the death of DA councillor Johnny Arends in a car accident on the R75 in April.
PAC regional chair Bassie Kamana said 35-year-old Bantam brought youthful energy into the race, which would revitalise politics in the northern suburbs.
“The people of the northern areas have been neglected for the past 20 years by the so-called people who have been working there,” he said.
Kamana said the party was not just doing a tick-box exercise but going all out to take the ward.
“In the past, we did take part in elections in the northern areas, but this time we will be contesting.
“The campaign started long ago.
“[Parties like the] EFF fill stadiums but do not fill the ballots — visibility cannot be compared to votes.”
He said the party was active in the northern areas as evidenced by the existence of their branches in wards 37, 38, 31 and 32.
Du Plessis said he was born and raised in Arcadia.
At the age of 13, he joined the Order of St John to dedicate himself to humanitarian efforts.
He heads the Northbay Hope Foundation, which empowers those in need.
Du Plessis has established a National Alliance satellite office at the corner of Rensburg and Sugarbush streets to ensure residents have access to essential support and services.
He said his efforts in humanitarian aid, sports administration and politics saw him become a leader in his community.
The DA has announced Annelize Stanley as its candidate, and the Patriotic Alliance has named Geraldine Vaaltyn.
The Herald
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