Phiri Cawe|Published
The DA is hoping to break the ANC's grip on a Gugulethu ward by fielding the very councillor who won it for the ANC five years ago.
Thembinkosi Mjuza, who was elected as Ward 39 councillor in 2021, is now standing against the ANC's Wonke Mapeyi in a ward where the DA secured just 6.1% of the vote in the last municipal elections.
The ANC won the ward with 68.43% of the vote, while the EFF received 13.96%. The contest comes as residents face unemployment, violent crime, housing shortages and service delivery problems , with candidates promising to address these issues.
Mapeyi’s priorities
Mapeyi is a development practitioner and human rights advocate who said he has more than 10 years’ experience working with underprivileged communities.
Mapeyi said his community work began in 2014 when he worked with West City United on grassroots youth development. In 2017, he launched a sanitary-pad initiative for girls at township schools.
“I founded Elevator Ground to advance youth development and human rights. I advocated for a satellite police station in Philippi, helped establish a community hall in Europe, and served as secretary of the Gugulethu Football Association,” he said.
Mapeyi said voters should support him because he would bring a fresh perspective to local politics.
He also listed repairs to drainage systems, roads, potholes, and traffic lights among his priorities. He said he would support sporting organisations and youth development programmes that provide alternatives to drugs and crime.
“I will fight for affordable basic services, transparent budgets and accountable service delivery,” he said.
Mapeyi promised to remain accessible, communicate openly, report back to residents and be accountable for his commitments.
“Vote for leadership that listens, serves and delivers developmental results for Gugulethu,” he said.
Mjuza’s record
Mjuza, who is now contesting the ward under the DA, previously served as its councillor.
He matriculated at Intshukumo High School and studied for a BCom NDP programme at Unisa. He also obtained a public relations degree from Cape Peninsula University of Technology and registered for a master’s degree in public administration, focusing on public policy.
Mjuza said during his undergraduate studies, he was employed as a tutor for first-year students. He said some of those students had gone on to become professionals, including residents of Gugulethu.
Mjuza said his activism was influenced by injustices experienced by young people in sport and education. He became involved in student politics while studying at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
After working in Gauteng, Mjuza said he returned to Gugulethu and assisted neighbourhood-watch groups. He said he helped revive the Igunya Neighbourhood Watch Federation, which comprised more than 18 groups across Gugulethu, New Crossroads and Nyanga.
He later became its chairperson and subsequently served as chairperson of the Gugulethu Community Policing Forum.
Mjuza became the Ward 39 councillor in 2021. He said one of his achievements was establishing 10 area committees to improve planning and coordination between communities and the municipality.
He also served on the City of Cape Town’s Finance Portfolio Committee and Economic Growth Portfolio Committee.
Mjuza said he helped inform residents about the indigent grant and supported programmes such as Jobs Connect and small-business development.
He is calling on voters to return him to office to protect existing projects and advance those still in the pipeline.
Mjuza said he wanted to restore the dignity of Gugulethu, which he believes has been neglected for more than 20 years. His priorities include involving street committees in municipal decision-making, improving safety and protecting development projects from manipulation.
He also plans to attract private investment and create employment opportunities for young people and adults by working with government departments and businesses operating in Gugulethu.
Ward 39 covers: Street (NY75) through NY117, NY108, Gasela Street (NY6), NY147, NY149 and NY5, branching towards Emdeni Street (NY78), opposite New Crossroads. Major landmarks in the jurisdiction include the Fezeka Sub-council offices, Gugulethu Civic Hall, Gugulethu Clinic, 2 Methodist Churches, Gugulethu Indoor Sports Complex, Gugulethu Mall, and Transport Terminus.
The EFF candidate was contacted and sent messages but did not respond to requests for comment.