Scooping 43.93% of the votes in the latest municipal elections, independent candidate, Andrew Akkers has been voted in as Ward 34 councillor in eThekwini.
The ward, which covers the areas of Avoca, Effingham, Greenwood Park, Kenville, Sea Cow Lake and Riverhorse Valley was previously won by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The ward was previously represented by the DA and became vacant as a result of the councillor’s resignation. The voter turnout for this ward in the 2021 Municipal Elections was 41.92%.
The ward was also contested by Thamsanqa Bongani Dlamini of the African Movement Congress (AMC), Mashinini Alpheous Nkosi of the African National Congress (ANC), Jerald Raghunath of the DA and Thembisile Patricia Khuzwayo of Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party.
Speaking to IOL, Akkers said he was looking forward to the task.
“My team and I are truly excited about the opportunity to make a greater impact in the community through this expanded role. As I've emphasised numerous times, I am not a politician but a community activist, and my sole focus is on making a difference in Ward 34,” Akkers said.
“I am a third generation Ward 34 resident, and my personal experiences shape my understanding of our community’s needs,” the husband and father of three said.
Akkers has been extensively involved in community-centred ventures including co-ordinating Covid relief for residents during the lockdown as well as infrastructure development and renewal and service delivery enhancement.
IOL News