Cape Town - A police captain who has 27 years of service is hoping to serve her community of Wynberg in another capacity after she put up her hand to stand as local government candidate for the National Freedom Party.
Ilhaam Karriem has lived in Wynberg for the last 40 years and now hopes to represent ward 63 for her party.
Karriem said she stepped into politics after seeing there was no other platform besides the political arena in which to address the current issues of corruption, crime, and the rapid degradation of communities.
“Being a resident of Wynberg for the past 40 years, I sadly bear witness to the deterioration and rapid decline of Ward 63 – structurally, environmentally and the security of the community. Subways have become drug nets, settlement clusters, and people have become fearful when walking the neighbourhood with poor municipal service and maintenance,” said the former police captain.
Karriem said her work in the field and as a public relations officer for charitable organisations such as the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, St Giles Association for the Handicapped and the Animal Anti-cruelty League introduced her to the needs of people, which gave rise to the passion of wanting to work with them and for them.
Passionate about the pressing issues of homelessness, drug abuse, crime and transport seen in her community, Karriem said she would have a walk-by campaign with the community actively participating to improve service delivery.
“I’m not a politician, I’m a humanitarian. I am passionate about the upliftment of my fellow human beings, especially the young, old, and those who cannot fend for themselves. The NFP stands for equality, we are tired of all the ongoing issues which everyone is aware of, and everyone speaks of, yet do nothing about,” said Karriem.
NFP mayoral candidate Yusuf Mohamed commended the former police officer and servant leader for stepping up to be part of the solution after feeling the lack of service delivery in their area.
“Like most of our ward candidates they come from a humanitarian background and show concern for the welfare of its citizens,” said Mohamed.