One woman stands in all 41 wards of uMsunduzi council

Natasha Govender, a Freedom Front PLUS (VF Plus) candidate, is standing in all 41 wards of the uMsunduzi municipality in Pietermaritzburg in the November 4 local elections. A Christian of Indian origin, she says she was nominated after joining the party on June 9, while it was carrying out candidate training and background checks. Govender says she would step down from 40 wards if she won them all, but provincial Electoral Commission spokesperson Thabani Ngwira confirms that a councillor cannot be replaced without a by-election. Govender says she chose the VF Plus for its emphasis on accountability, good governance, individual rights and cultural freedom.