Nelson Mandela Bay's newly redrawn Ward 5 is set for a battle between two former DJs in the upcoming local government elections. Renaldo Gouws of the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and Daron Mann of the Democratic Alliance (DA) are competing for the ward, which includes popular tourist attractions and areas struggling with service delivery issues. The ward spans from Russell Road and City Hall through Central, South End, Forest Hill, Humerail, and Humewood to the beachfront and parts of Summerstrand.
Both candidates are known for being outspoken, with Gouws having been fired by the DA in 2024 after a 15-year-old video with racist remarks resurfaced. Mann was axed from Algoa FM's breakfast show in 2019 following comments about the dairy industry. Gouws, a former DA councillor for Ward 2, has six years of experience and four degrees, including two master's degrees in industrial psychology from Nelson Mandela University. He aims to prioritize the city's tourism offering in the area.
Gouws' main priority is ensuring the city's tourism offering in Ward 5 is up to standard. He plans to achieve this by increasing the visibility of the metro police unit and addressing infrastructure upgrades and beautification in the beachfront and Happy Valley areas. Gouws has committed to resigning as a councillor if he fails to restore Happy Valley to its former state. He also aims to ensure that the ward-based budget allocation reflects the monetary contribution of residents and businesses in the area.
Daron Mann brings three decades of experience in championing service delivery issues and community causes. He emphasizes the importance of enforcing bylaws in the ward, citing the issue of problem buildings and abandoned properties. Mann plans to work closely with the police to assist the metro in enforcing its laws. He also highlights the need for increased metro police presence, with the current shortage of vehicles being a major concern.
The ward has struggled with various service delivery issues, including regular sewage leaks at Kings Beach, infrastructure damage, broken streetlights, crime, and homelessness. Gouws and Mann are campaigning on promises to tackle these issues. As a former councillor, Gouws claims to understand what needs to be done and has the contact details of municipal officials. He argues that his experience is essential for the ward, which requires a councillor who can hit the ground running.
Gouws and Mann have different visions for the ward's future. Gouws aims to facilitate negotiations for agreements with Transnet as the property owner and ensure that events like Playland are not withdrawn from the city. Mann focuses on addressing the lack of bylaw enforcement and holding absent landlords accountable. The candidates' differing approaches reflect their unique experiences and perspectives.
The local government elections are set for November 4, and residents of Ward 5 will have to decide between Gouws and Mann. Both candidates have made commitments to improving the ward's infrastructure, safety, and tourism offerings. The outcome of the election will likely have a significant impact on the area's future development and the lives of its residents.
Key points
- - Two former DJs, Renaldo Gouws and Daron Mann, are competing for Ward 5 in Nelson Mandela Bay's local government elections. - The ward faces various service delivery issues, including sewage leaks, infrastructure damage, and crime. - Gouws and Mann have different visions for the ward's future, with Gouws focusing on tourism and infrastructure upgrades, and Mann emphasizing bylaw enforcement and police presence.
