Cape Town - Inspired to tackle some of the most restrictive challenges less privileged communities in his ward are facing, 24-year-old Damian De Barros has stepped up to the plate as the Good Party’s councillor candidate for the City’s Ward 111.
Local community activist, now turned politician De Barros, said after witnessing first-hand the DA’s disregard for residents living in the less fortunate part of Ward 111, he was inspired to take on the task and work for the greater good.
The City’s Ward 111 covers parts of Brackenfell, the more affluent side of Ward 111, and then Scottsville, Eikendale and Belmont Park.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had the heart and the will to work for the benefit of my community. I have been involved in community-oriented engagements, from participating in neighbourhood watch groups to other initiatives. I have just always been there.
“This means that I was privy to and witnessed first hand how residents in some of the areas under Ward 111 were treated like second-hand citizens. Not good enough to participate in matters and decisions that affect them or have a say in how funds are allocated for their ward are used,” De Barros said.
“I saw how crime increase exponentially, gang violence tripled, unemployment thrived through lack of community development, how lack of housing caused tremendous strain on our already dilapidated infrastructure and many other issues the current local government was not interested in resolving.
“But I could no longer sit back and watch more damage be done. This ward needs someone good and accountable, who is willing to do the work.
“Currently, if you take a look at Ward 111 it’s divided into two sections, the fortunate and the not-so fortunate, and in 2021 that shouldn’t be the case.
“We have Brackenfell, which is seemingly being run smoothly, not a pothole in sight, and across the road, you see Scottsville, Eikendal and Belmont Park with a host of issues,” said De Barros.