Cape Town - A desire to serve his community of the almost-forgotten Factreton informal settlement in Kensington – where residents had previously gone for months without water – has prompted ward 56 candidate Kevin Inglish to contest the local elections.
Inglish, who has been at the forefront of advocating for service delivery in the area, claims to have received tremendous support from the community, prominent figures and men of the cloth.
Inglish has been serving the community for over 30 years through sport, social ills awareness programmes, animal welfare and, recently, food security.
“What propelled me to run for local elections was that I continually got asked if I wanted to stand as a ward councillor by hundreds of residents because of my involvement in the community.
“In addition, people like actress Jill Levenberg, Bafana Bafana under-23 soccer player Miles October, a philanthropist in the area, Derek Williams, whose involvement with St Vincent de Paul of the Catholic church l work with, support me. I obviously decided to do it as an independent without political party strings attached,” he said.
Inglish said currently what was of great frustration and concern for residents was that they were not being heard, consulted, or given feedback on council matters which eroded their dignity.
He said overcrowding of backyard dwellers leading to informal settlements – some without running water, sanitation, refuse removal and other health issues – were daily struggles.
He said there was a need to revisit sustainable housing solutions as the last house was built over 50 years ago in the area. Refocus on youth efforts and address gang violence with safety and security was an important priority, he said.
“This community requires a leader that has a footprint in it, one not frightened to get his hands dirty. To be accessible and visible in the community. Always be caring and have the community's best interest at heart and serve without fear or favour. Organisations working on their own can be counter-productive.
“Besides importantly having a strong ward committee, for me as a councillor to have a structure that works and advises me from creditable members of the community so that l am also accountable,” he said.
He said should he be elected as councillor, a certain percentage of his salary would go to a charity that worked with the youth.
“I am prepared to be evaluated and if l don’t deliver the people can decide. I am already working with organisations that promote peace by building projects, leadership programmes for youth, sports for youth and animal welfare,” said Inglish.