Statement by Andrew Whitfield MPL – DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader:
The DA’s Eastern Cape candidate launch roadshow continued today with the successful launch of our Blue Crane Route candidate team in Somerset East.
Today, I had the honour of introducing this team alongside DA Blue Crane Route Mayoral Candidate Cllr Lorraine Smith Johnson and DA Zuurberg Constituency Leader Dr Malcolm Figg MPL.
The DA already holds five of the 11 seats in the current Blue Crane Route Council. By winning Ward 4 from the ANC in the April 2024 by-election, the DA deprived the ANC of its majority and demonstrated that residents are ready for change.
Today, only one Council seat separates Blue Crane Route from an outright DA majority and the stable, accountable government that residents deserve.
The candidates introduced today are:
Ward candidates
- Ward 1: Requel Lourens
- Ward 2: Jonathan Martin
- Ward 3: May Adams
- Ward 4: Herbert Davenport
- Ward 5: Lorraine Smith Johnson
- Ward 6: Hans Hendricks
Proportional representation candidates
- Deon Besters
- Chantel de Lange
- Crecentia Fillis
- Archer Heynse
- Godfrey Mintoor
- Tyrique Petrus
- Ambruce van Gend
- Deon Zoeloe
These candidates have undergone the DA’s rigorous selection process and have been chosen to provide the communities of Somerset East, Cookhouse, Pearston, and the surrounding rural areas with capable, accountable, and fit-for-purpose representatives.
Under the leadership of Lorraine Smith Johnson, this team will campaign on a clear commitment to restore the basics across the Blue Crane Route.
The DA’s offer is to build a clean, safe, and corruption-free municipality, restore reliable basic services, protect public money, and create the conditions needed for businesses, agriculture, and local entrepreneurs to grow and create jobs.
It is an offer of honest government that serves every community and a municipality that works for all.
Residents do not have to accept another term in which the balance of power rests with one councillor and the municipality’s future is determined by political deals. They now have a credible opportunity to elect a stable DA majority with a clear mandate to govern.
The DA has the mayoral candidate, the candidate team, and the plan needed to win Blue Crane Route and get the municipality working for all.