Babalo Ndenze
Metro Writer
Patricia de Lille’s mayoral committee has a number of new faces from all walks of life, from the daughter of a domestic worker to an MBA graduate and a woman who set up food gardens in Khayelitsha.
De Lille announced her team on Friday after weeks of consultation with the DA leadership.
“I will make these appointments official on June 1, when I am officially elected mayor. The leaders with me here today represent the best that the DA has to offer the people of Cape Town. Together, they provide the right mix of experience and new energy that will provide the dynamic leadership this city deserves,” De Lille said.
The daughter of a domestic worker, Beverly Cortje-Alcock will serve in the social and early childhood development portfolio. She is an experienced community and party activist, having had decades-long involvement in various community initiatives across the city.
Cortje-Alcock said she was rather surprised: “I’m not usually thinking of myself. But I am the daughter of a domestic worker. The first thing (in my new job) is getting the job done.”
Cortje-Alcock has done a lot of community work in the neighbouring areas of Langa and Bonteheuwel, which she affectionately refers to as the “BonteLanga Initiative”.
She said her vision in her new position would be that of the party and she would find ways of bettering service delivery in social development and early childhood development.
Another new inclusion, Tandeka Gqada, who has a strong business management background, would serve in the community services portfolio.
A human resources expert, Gqada has an MBA and has worked at major companies like Nedbank and Old Mutual.
“I’m very excited. It won’t be a walk in the park, but you can’t succeed on your own, so team work is very important,” Gqada said.
She said she wasn’t expecting the call-up, but realised that the current government only chooses those who have the ability to carry out the duties: “I want to help make this a caring city for everyone.”
Another newcomer, Lungiswa Gazi-James, will be responsible for health. She has worked in health care for 17 years and has set up food gardens in Khayelitsha and sewing groups to assist unemployed women. She is the chairperson of the DA’s N2 constituency.
The rest of the mayco includes:
l Ernest Sonnenberg becomes mayco member for housing.
l His predecessor Shehaam Sims will move over to the utility services portfolio.
l Veteran councillor Demetri Qually will be responsible for corporate services.
l Belinda Walker moves to the newly expanded portfolio of economic, environmental and spatial planning.
l Ian Neilson, who has served as deputy mayor and the mayco member for finance, will carry on in his two roles, but with added responsibilities.
l JP Smith, who has served as a councillor since 2000 and was the mayco member for the safety and security portfolio, will continue in that position.
l Brett Herron who came from the ID will now head up the transport, roads and stormwater portfolio.
l Grant Pascoe, who served on the previous mayco and currently serves as the chairperson of the DA’s Cape Town metro region, will head the third expanded portfolio, tourism, events and marketing.