Understanding the Role of Ward Councillors in South Africa

In South Africa, ward councillors serve as the backbone of local government, acting as vital conduits between their communities and the municipal council.

They hold the dual responsibility of being accountable not only to their wards but also to the overarching municipal authority.

This role involves a balance of representation, advocacy, and accountability; yet many community members remain largely unaware of its true scope and significance.

Privi Makhan, a Democratic Alliance councillor and caucus leader in KwaDukuza, reflects on the rewards and challenges that accompany this role.

"Being a local government councillor is one of the greatest honours and a calling," she states, although she soon highlights the broader misunderstandings that often cloud public perception of their responsibilities.

According to Makhan, councillors are primarily tasked with representing the interests of their communities within the council. “We bring residents’ concerns, needs, and ideas into the council chamber,” she elaborates.

Furthermore, they oversee municipal administration, ensuring that the execution of projects aligns with community development goals.

However, the public's expectations can sometimes exceed the mandate of a councillor, leading to frustrations on both sides.“Councillors don’t drive the trucks or switch on the streetlights; we can’t arrest criminals, and we are certainly not mashonisas,” Makhan clarified, pointing out the frequent misunderstandings about what councillors can realistically offer.

"When councillors are unable to fulfil certain requests, it should not be interpreted as a lack of desire to help."She stresses the importance of setting realistic expectations to foster a collaborative relationship between councillors and their communities.

The humour inherent in their roles is also evident. “Some of the requests councillors receive could provide excellent material for the likes of Trevor Noah,” joked Makhan, highlighting the sometimes absurd nature of community demands.

Meanwhile, Thinta Cibane, an African National Congress spokesperson and councillor in eThekwini, emphasises the party’s strategy of educating voters on the different spheres of government.

Their approach is to tailor local government election manifestos to meet the specific demands of communities, always ensuring that these promises remain within the realm of what is feasible and compliant with legislation.

“Our campaign work is heavily centered around voter education and training volunteers who engage in face to face discussions within communities,” Cibane explained.

This focus aims to prevent unrealistic expectations and alleviate the pressure placed on councillors when promises made by political actors cannot be realised.

Moreover, Cibane expressed concern over the rise of misinformation, particularly in this digital age marked by advanced artificial intelligence tools that can distort reality.

“We urge the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to enhance its oversight of candidates and parties,” he stated firmly.“As the ANC, we hold our candidates and volunteers to the highest ethical and disciplinary standards, prioritising genuine engagement through direct interactions.”