Africazine:
Nomsa Mbatha is taking a bold step to transform her community in Johannesburg’s Ward 67.
With a rich background in activism and community service, Mbatha is running as an independent candidate. Her campaign is fueled by her experiences, including a successful petition that restored electricity for residents facing severe outages.
Nomsa Mbatha’s Vision for Ward 67
Nomsa Mbatha’s candidacy is rooted in her extensive community involvement. Growing up in Dube Village, Soweto, she was influenced by a family dedicated to activism. Her early experiences, including participation in the 1976 uprising, shaped her commitment to justice and community service.
Mbatha’s professional journey took her from studying Computer Science in Germany to pursuing her passion for food, culminating in the establishment of a cookery school in Soweto. After the Covid-19 pandemic, she pivoted to event catering, further connecting with her community.
Addressing Community Challenges
Mbatha identifies several pressing issues in Ward 67, including crime, illegal dumping, and inconsistent waste collection. She emphasizes the need for a ward-level fault-tracking system to address municipal complaints effectively. Her approach includes conducting audits of infrastructure and fostering stronger community participation through initiatives like street committees and clean-ups.
She acknowledges the limitations of a councillor’s role but stresses the importance of accountability and communication with residents. Her leadership style is consultative, aiming to create an accessible and transparent office for the community.
Next Steps for Mbatha’s Campaign
- Establish a ward-level fault-tracking system.
- Conduct a street-by-street audit of infrastructure issues.
- Introduce regular public meetings for community engagement.
Mbatha’s goal is clear: to leave Ward 67 cleaner, safer, and better managed than before.
