Randburg voters demand better services as BOSA leaders vote

Build One South Africa (BOSA) mayoral candidate for the City of Joburg, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, cast her ballot at the Redeem Church in Randburg.

Build One SA leader (BOSA), Dr Mmusi Maimane, who cast his ballot in Dobsonville, Soweto, earlier on Wednesday, accompanied deputy leader and the party's mayoral candidate for the City of Joburg, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, when she cast her ballot at the Redeemed Christian Church of God voting station in Ward 102.

This is where award-winning actress Nambitha Mpumlwana had earlier cast her own ballot in the company of her son, Vangile.

Speaking after casting her vote, Mpumlwana expressed her thoughts on the pressing socio-economic issues affecting Randburg.

Over the years, Randburg has become synonymous with service delivery failures — including refuse delays, electricity and water outages, sewer infrastructure problems, potholes, and poor street lighting.

All these challenges have led to both community-led initiatives and political calls for accountability.

“I believe that my vote today speaks to the issues we face. Before casting my vote, I drove down my street; Pikitup, the city's refuse collector, did not come. Today's Wednesday, and they're supposed to be coming in this neighborhood. They didn't. It's simple. It's simple things that matter, and for me, we need to start again, building from the ground up,” she said.

She underscored the importance of community organisation.

“Once the community is organised, then things become better,” said Mpumlwana who advocates for a robust community residents' association that can hold councillors accountable and voice the needs of the people.

Her call for unity underscores a critical point: the need for communities to work in concert to reclaim their power from leaders who have faltered.

Echoing Mpumlwana's sentiments, resident Lukhona Sadza lamented the lack of effort from several political parties during the campaign.

“Besides the DA's campaign, I have not seen much being done by other parties. It is that kind of attitude that makes it difficult for some of us to make up our minds about which parties to vote for,” he stated.

Vangile, who now resides in Melville – a neighbourhood grappling with the ongoing water crisis – reminisced about his childhood in Randburg.

“I remember growing up here. Things were different, and I used to skate freely around here. However, I do not think that is possible with what is going on in this suburb,” he lamented.

Hlazo-Webster, after casting her ballot, reflected on the emergence of youth engagement in the political landscape.

She said: “After having voted, what I notice is that people are out in their numbers. People are ready for change and something new.”

With young people also showing excitement about taking charge of the country's future, Hlazo-Webster indicated that there is a shift in public perception, especially among younger generations who are beginning to understand the power of their vote.

“The reality is that we are in a new era, where young people have never seen what a vote can do, and now they are exercising that power,” she added.