Less than a month after the general elections, Fish Hoek residents will return to the polls following the resignation of the Ward 64 councillor early this year.

Aimee Kuhl was the DA councillor from 2016 until February this year before relocating to the Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal (“Fish Hoek ward councillor resigns,” Echo, January 18).

The ward will be contested in a by-election by the DA, ANC and EFF on Wednesday June 19.

DA candidate Izabel Sherry has lived in Fish Hoek for 20 years and has served as the Ward 64 ward assistant for more than two years.

She was with a virtual events company from 2006 to 2020. She and her husband then started their own business, an audio-visual solutions company, where she was responsible for all logistics and admin duties.

As ward assistant, she dealt with the ratepayers’ association, the Fish Hoek Business Improvement District, and the Muizenberg Improvement District, and she handled service requests.

“I have had hands-on experience with all service issues and deliveries for Ward 64. I have the passion and drive to make a difference in our area,” she says.

ANC candidate Paul Davids, of Fish Hoek, says he traded in his private-sector job in 1993 to help prepare for the country’s first democratic elections as a director of operations for the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

Following the 1994 elections, he served in the constitutional assembly, laying the groundwork for the country’s democracy, and he has also gained experience in cabinet, local communities and now Parliament.

“With more than 30 years under my belt, I understand what works and what doesn’t in both sectors, learning from the best and worst practices. In my role as chief of staff, both past and present, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made through innovative approaches, but we’re always looking for new ways to improve.”

He says that while he proudly supports the ANC, he believes in the power of national unity.

“Together, we have the opportunity to make this ward a leader in this spirit. You’ve shown your support for strong provincial leadership, and that’s commendable. Now, let’s join forces with the rest of the country to build a thriving community where everyone can succeed.”

EFF candidate Tougheeda Jacobs has lived in Muizenberg for 10 years. She has a background in dancing and modelling. She spent several years in the UK after winning a model-of-the-year competition, and there she was involved with community work and caring for the elderly.

She has worked in the hospitality industry for many years, choreographed fashion shows for various charities in Cape Town and run soup kitchens and handed out food parcels in Tafelsig, Hanover Park, Woodstock, and Bo-Kaap.

Her strengths, she says, are her personality and the ability to get along with anyone. She says she is trustworthy, and can “walk the walk and talk the talk”.

She says her passion is to help people, especially those who do not have electricity, water, and sanitation, and to ensure reliable service delivery for all, eliminate racism and discrimination, and help youth development.

Residents can cast their votes at their registered voting stations at the Fish Hoek civic centre; Fish Hoek Primary School; False Bay College (Fish Hoek); Kalk Bay community centre; Muizenberg civic centre; Muizenberg High School; or Zandvlei Yacht Club from 7am till 9pm.

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Meet the candidates for Ward 64

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