New and re-elected eThekwini DA councillors set out service-delivery priorities - IOL

DA councillors Daniel Logan Mea, Preggy Govender, and Ramona Valayathan.

Newly elected and re-elected DA councillors in eThekwini have identified water supply, municipal billing, infrastructure, roads and public facilities as key priorities for their terms of office.

Newly-elected Ward 71 councillor, Ramona Valayatham, services the Shallcross, Moorton, and Crossmoor areas.

She said retaining the ward was not simply an electoral victory but a renewed responsibility to serve residents.

Reflecting on the elections, Valayatham described the journey as emotional and life-changing, saying the ward represented far more than a voting district.

“Ward 71 is not just a ward on a ballot paper. It is home. It is where my roots are, where my childhood memories were made, where my family history lives and where my heart belongs,” she said.

She said leadership was not about titles or recognition but about putting people first, listening to residents and continuing to work towards solutions.

“Leadership is not about a title, a position or recognition. It is about people. It is about showing up when things are difficult, standing with residents when they feel forgotten, listening when they feel unheard and continuing to fight for solutions even when the road is challenging,” she said.

Valayatham said she accepted the community's support with gratitude and humility, acknowledging the responsibility that came with every vote.

“I recognise that behind every vote is a person, a family, a hope and an expectation. That is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” she said.

She thanked residents, activists, volunteers and supporters who contributed to the campaign, adding that her commitment remained to serve with integrity and humility.

Ward 73 councillor Daniel Logan Mea was re-elected to service the Chatsworth CBD, Croftdene, and Arena Park areas.

He said he was grateful to residents who supported him and his party, allowing him to continue advocating for basic services.

Mea highlighted the growth in his electoral support, saying the DA had secured 67.1% in the ward in 2021 under his predecessor. 

Following a by-election in 2023, when he took office, his support increased to 81%, before rising to 90% in the 2026 elections.

He said the result reflected the trust residents had placed in him despite ongoing service delivery challenges.

Outlining his priorities for his first 100 days in office, Mea identified water shortages affecting Arena Park, Montford and parts of Moorton as a major concern.

He said he intended to obtain a full assessment from municipal management and the relevant departments to establish the causes of supply and demand challenges affecting the reservoir system and find ways to stabilise water provision.

Billing and revenue management were also high on his agenda, with residents reportedly facing estimated readings, inaccurate accounts and overcharging.

Mea said existing municipal payment programmes needed to be reviewed to ensure they accommodated residents who could not afford their bills, particularly senior citizens dependent on social grants.

He also raised concerns about neglected pathways, grass cutting and the maintenance of parks and recreational grounds.

Palm Road grounds were among the areas he identified as requiring urgent attention, warning that neglect had contributed to concerns about land invasion, illegal drug use and loitering.

He said he would engage the relevant departments about maintenance assessments and possible capital projects to restore the grounds to their intended purpose.

Other priorities include improving access and security at Chatsworth Stadium, addressing maintenance at Mahatma Gandhi Park, assessing electricity substations and infrastructure, improving recreational facilities and following up on the upgrade of the Fragrant Street informal trading market.

Mea also said he intended to engage with the relevant departments about maintenance at swimming pools in Arena Park and Croftdene, as well as concerns about fencing and access control at the Arena Park facility.

Preggy Govender was newly elected as councillor for Ward 30, which serves the Westville, Sherwood, Bonela, and Mayville areas.

Govender said his experience serving on the ward committee under former councillor Warren Byrne had given him an understanding of the challenges facing residents.

He identified ageing water pipes and electricity cables as major infrastructure concerns, adding that poor refuse removal, potholes and faulty street lights also required attention.

“From an infrastructure point of view, I would be pushing for infrastructure changes in my community, in the ward,” he said.

Govender said he wanted to prioritise replacing deteriorating pipes and cables, while addressing refuse collection concerns, particularly in Bonela.

He also identified the need for improved road maintenance and said he hoped to see a community hall established in Bonela during his five-year term.

Among his immediate priorities was identifying faulty street lights and ensuring that the problems were reported to the relevant depots for repairs.

He said he would also conduct an assessment across the ward to identify other infrastructure and capital project requirements.