By Botho Molosankwe
Would-be councillors in Eldorado Park need to be well prepared for the huge task that lies ahead of them because crime, unemployment, gangsterism, alcohol and drug abuse, and a housing shortage are some of the issues about which residents are upset.
While some have said that the only way crime could be curbed was if jobs were created, others said councillors needed to create projects that would keep the youth from falling into crime.
During the past year, the area has been rocked by the rape and murder of several children.
Thomas Mattheus, 34, an Extension 1 resident, who runs a car wash business, said the high level of unemployment in the area was responsible for the rising crime rate. However, he said that although he did not approve of the criminals, he could not blame them.
"They do not have money... jobs need to be created so that crime can be reduced," he said.
A few years ago, Sylvia Smarts, who is unemployed, applied for an RDP house, but she is still waiting. She lives in a two-bedroom flat with her four children and three grandchildren. She does her neighbour's laundry so that she can put some food on the table.
Like the other residents, crime bothers her.
"There is no playground for the children, which means they end up swinging from the rails of the building's stairs. The complex is dirty and our children cannot play in the dirt. In some flats there are 10 people in a two-bedroom flat," she said. "We need RDP houses. I do not know who my councillor is, but whoever will be elected must look after us and take care of old people," Smarts added.
Paula Hugo, who, because of the long staircase, ventures out of her flat only once a week, said she desperately wanted to see elected a councillor who would make Eldorado Park a safe area and create job opportunities.
"There is violence, drugs and alcohol in this area and our flat is not in a good condition," the 76-year-old said.
However, despite Hugo's hopes, the ANC's Wally Botha, the incumbent councillor in Ward 18, hopes to be re-elected.
Justifying his optimism, Botha said he had done a lot for his ward during the past five years, such as upgrading roads and the clinic. He had also negotiated with Sasol to employ more than 200 Eldorado Park residents on a temporary basis during the fuel company's annual shutdown.
"I am aware of the housing shortage, but the building of RDP houses in Slovo Park will begin in July," Botha said.
"I hope I am elected back into office, as there are so many plans I still need to turn into reality."
Anne Adam, an Independent Democrats candidate in Ward 17 - one of the two wards in Eldorado Park - said she was aware of the many challenges facing the area.
"I used to be a voluntary worker, and if I get elected as a councillor I will work with the police to reduce crime and will also try to curb poverty."
The Democratic Alliance's candidate, Norman Duncan, is opposing Botha in Ward 18.
For Duncan, unemployment and drug and alcohol abuse among the youth remain Eldorado Park's biggest challenges.
"I have promised residents that if they vote for me I will ensure that jobs are created and that they acquire skills that will make them employable," Duncan said. "The youth abuse alcohol and drugs because recreational facilities are limited.
"There is an engineering facility here that has not been in use for a number of years, and I want that to be used to skill unemployed youths.
"I am also working with the government towards getting a multipurpose sports centre," he said.
The African Christian Democratic Party's Meshack van Zyl voiced concern about the lack of morality in the community, and about unemployment and crime.
He said he was trying to establish projects to help abused women, and to deal with drug addiction and other social ills.
"I want to assist the police in reducing crime and not allowing criminals among us.
"As a community man I do not believing in moving from my community, as I want to make a difference while in it," Van Zyl said.
The Gemini Party, the Inkatha Freedom Party and an independent candidate are the others who are contest- ing the elections in Eldorado Park.
During the last municipal election in 2000, 14 171 Ward 17 residents registered to vote. Only 4 903 actually did. The DA received 53,66 percent of the vote and the ANC got 38,36 percent. The Gemini Party received 3,8 percent, the IFP 3,5 percent, the Pan Africanist Congress 0,98 percent and the Freedom Front Plus 0,22 percent.
Before the last election, Ward 18 had 13 087 registered voters, but only 4 747 voted.
The DA won 57,72 percent of the vote, compared with an independent candidate's 19,65 percent, the ANC's 14,7 percent, the ACDP's 3,73 percent, the Gemini Party's 3,7 percent and the Freedom Front's 0,48 percent.
Botha represented the DA when the party won Ward 18, but later switched allegiance.