Behind every neighbourhood are stories, struggles and hopes waiting to be heard. Tabloid Newspapers took to the streets to ask residents one important question: “What does your community need most right now?” From service delivery and healthcare to accountability, youth support and care for the elderly, residents shared the challenges affecting their daily lives and the changes they believe are needed to build stronger communities. Here is what they had to say.
Michelle Beaumont-Willoughby
Durban North will thrive when we honour our elderly through wellness initiatives, guide our youth by creating safe spaces and build a community where everyone belongs. A strong community starts with dignity for our seniors and opportunity for our young people. When we invest in both generations and show up for one another, we create a future where no one is left behind.
Angie Calo
Our community needs accessible, practical healthcare education focused on chronic wound management and basic emergency skills. Too many people are living with wounds that won’t heal, preventing them from working and supporting their families. By training school leavers in CPR, first aid and wound care, we can create employment opportunities while improving community healthcare. Investing in practical wound-care education and community clinics will restore dignity, reduce healthcare costs and help people get back on their feet, strengthening families and creating lasting social and economic impact.
Mark Gounder
What Isipingo needs most right now is effective service delivery backed by real accountability. Residents deserve a clear and reliable channel to report concerns, receive feedback and know exactly which leaders and municipal departments are responsible for resolving issues. Whether it’s refuse collection, potholes, stormwater drainage, street lighting, water interruptions, electricity, sanitation or housing, people should not have to report the same problems over and over without seeing results. Accountability means more than promises – it means knowing who is responsible, getting timely responses and seeing action taken. We need leadership that listens, communicates openly and follows through. Isipingo deserves a system where every resident has a voice and those entrusted with serving the community are answerable to the people they represent.
Annalize Pillai
What our community needs most is good governance all year round, not only during election season. Too often, politicians make promises when elections arrive, posters go up, speeches get louder and suddenly communities become a priority. After voting day, many disappear just as quickly. We need less talk and more action when it comes to service delivery, including local clinics, roads, street lighting and the many other challenges residents face. Governance is not a once-in-five-years responsibility; it is an everyday commitment. Communities deserve leaders who deliver for the full term, with transparency, accountability and dedication to the people they represent.
