A Stellenbosch University (SU) student was selected as a ward councillor for Stellenbosch Muncipality during a recent by-election.
Tamryn Kumm, of the Democratic Alliance (DA), was elected councillor of Ward 8, following the resignation of Carli van Wyk, the previous ward councillor. This is according to councillor Jeremy Fasser, deputy executive mayor of Stellenbsoch Municipality.
The DA took 98.61% of the votes, according to a report by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
Tamryn Kumm of the Democratic Alliance (DA) became the new councilor for Ward 8 in Stellenbosch Municipality, according to the DA and Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Her appointment follows a by-election organised by the IEC that took place on 23 October. PHOTO: Nkululeko Ndlovu
Councillor Jacobus Davids of the African National Congress (ANC), and Zwelithini Gwele of the Truth and Solidarity Movement (TRUTH) also stood as candidates in the election, which took place on 23 October.
A new opportunity
“Carli van Wyk was also [a member of the mayoral committee] for infrastructure in Stellenbosch and has now taken a position at the national office,” said Fasser.
Despite being a 24-year-old student at SU, Kumm proved to be the strongest candidate for the position due to her proximity to the ward and active engagement in university activities, according to Fasser.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) won 213 of the 216 votes cast in a by-election vote that took place on 23 October, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The election occurred to elect the next councillor of Ward 8, due to the resignation of Carli van Wyk, former councillor of the ward. This is according to councillor Jeremy Fasser, deputy executive mayor of Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Nkululeko Ndlovu
“I think it’s a perfect opportunity for any young leader, especially in Stellenbosch and student side, to gain the experience and be a voice for students within council,” said Fasser.
Time to work
Ward 8 – which is within the boundaries of Jan Marais Park, Merriman Street, Neethling Street and the Coetzenburg Sports Centre – is an area mainly occupied by students, SU property, and civilians. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications officer at Stellenbosch Municipality.
“Municipal priorities for this ward are largely aligned with those in other areas, focusing on key aspects of service delivery such as water, electricity, roads, bulk water network maintenance, and upgrades,” said Grobbelaar.
According to Kumm, she plans to address what she believes to be her ward’s biggest needs, which she said includes student safety.
“The thing I want to address first now is security, in terms of safety and food security,” said Kumm. “I want to make sure I’m actually there to help and do what people want me to do, not what I think I should do.”
Poor electoral showing
Despite Kumm taking more than 98% of the votes, “the voter turnout was 4.25%” of the constituency, according to Noluvo Plaaitjie, communications liaison at the IEC Western Cape Office.
“The by-election coincided with preparation for final year-end exams starting on 28 October, with the academic term ending on 25 October, which we believe have impacted on the low turnout,” said Plaaitjie.
The Democratic Alliance won 213 of 216 votes cast in a recent municipal by-election in Stllenbosch, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The election, which was held on 23 October, was also contested by the African National Congress (ANC) and Truth and Solidarity Movement (TRUTH), according to the IEC. The ANC received two votes, and TRUTH received one vote, according to the IEC. PHOTO: Nkululeko Ndlovu.
Of the 216 votes cast, two went to the ANC and one to TRUTH.
“As a party, we do not have numbers in Ward 8. We are hoping through our structures in the university that numbers will grow in the future, as for now we are struggling,” said councillor Nombulelo Ntsunguzi, member of Stellenbosch Municipality council and representative of the ANC.
Despite representing a smaller party, Gwele contested the election in an attempt to make the ward more accessible, he said.
“In the past [Stellenbosch] was only contested by white people. I took the initiative to contest the area in order to share the economy of the area with everyone,” said Gwele.