New Councillor for Johannesburg’s Ward 29

Natalie Nyathi

Ismael Steenkamp from the Patriotic Alliance (PA) has been elected as the new councillor for Johannesburg’s Ward 29, which includes the Soweto areas of Diepkloof and Noordgesig.

This win marks a significant change in the political scene, as the PA has taken the ward from the African National Congress (ANC) in a closely watched by-election.

The by-election was called after the previous ANC councillor, Brenda Dammie, passed away in July. Steenkamp’s victory shows a shift in voter preferences in Ward 29, especially in Noordgesig, a predominantly Coloured township where the PA usually gets strong support. In this election, about 70% of the PA’s votes came from the Noordgesig Primary School voting station.

The ANC faced a major drop in support, with their share of votes falling from 39% to 23%.

The by-election also featured Operation Dudula, a group known for its anti-immigrant stance that has recently entered politics. However, the party only managed to get 3% of the total votes cast.

Ward 29 is located in the City of Johannesburg and has a diverse population. According to the 2011 census, it has about 15,366 residents, primarily speaking isiZulu.

The Patriotic Alliance, founded in 2013, has been gaining traction in South African politics. The party focuses on issues like land reform and strict immigration policies. In the 2024 general election, the PA won nine seats in the National Assembly and is now part of South Africa’s Government of National Unity.

As the new councillor, Ismael Steenkamp will need to address the concerns of Ward 29 residents, including crime, unemployment, and service delivery. He will also advocate for the PA’s policies and work towards community development and improvement.

Residents are hopeful that his leadership will bring positive changes to their community.