Cape Town - As the date for the municipal election draws near, 21 independent candidates across the different wards shared how they came together after meeting at the IEC offices earlier this year to offer support and share resources with each other in their efforts to take on candidates with backing from big political parties.
Independent candidate Kirsten Poking for Woodstock and other communities in ward 57 said she joined the group because she faced similar challenges as an independent and wanted to share any advice on how to overcome those challenges in case it would help another candidate.
“This group has helped in sharing information about services that are affordable and also generally shared in the good spirit of being independent and keeping our spirits up with stories of how we are reaching out to our communities during our campaigns,” said Poking.
Ebrahim Abrahams, an independent candidate for the communities of Athlone, Silvertown, Hazendal and others in ward 49, said it was imperative to be aware of the challenges they faced, as political parties had huge human and financial resources.
Agreeing with Abrahams, independent candidate Mohau Kgolokwane in ward 4 also said: “Political parties are polarising our community. They put political agendas above community needs, and as a result my community has been neglected and polluted,” said Kgolokwane.
Kashiefa Lodewyks, also an independent councillor candidate in ward 49 said the group helped her a lot and made her realise she was not alone, with much to do in going up against candidates from the big parties in the ward.
Ursula Schenker, for the communities of Plumstead and Wynberg in ward 63, said although their challenges differed across their different wards, they managed to try and use the same suppliers for posters, pamphlets, and other materials to reduce costs that had to be paid for upfront, with the advantage of remaining unbiased and only focusing on the needs in their respective communities.
After accepting the invitation to share their resources, Carmen Kearns, independent candidate for the communities of Delft-South and Blikkiesdorp in ward 24, said she realised they were all candidates who had the same purpose for their respective communities, with a great team spirit.
The independent candidates include Luthando Lekevana (ward 4), Mohau Charles Kgolokwane (ward 4), Paul Miller (ward 12), Xolani Makibi (ward 19), Carmen Kearns (ward 24), Abdul Ganief (ward 29), Henriette Abrahams (ward 50 and 31), Sakhele Tom (ward 38), Peter Jack (ward 38), Riyad Isaac (ward 43), Ebrahim Abrahams (ward 49), Kashiefa Lodewyks (ward 49), Kevin Inglis (ward 56), Kirsten Poking (ward 57), Ursula Schenker (ward 63), Rashad Allen (ward 65), Maxabandile Mgedezi (ward 80), Lindelwe Mguli (ward 104), Aubrey Robinson (ward 110), Mavuso Gqola (ward 114) and Luthando Mcuntula (ward 114).