The residents of Bethanie are calling for practical solutions to improve daily life, including service delivery, employment, and development. 

Bethanie Village Council is, among others, responsible for providing water, sanitation, infrastructure development and maintenance and manages local economic development and welfare programmes.

However, the youth feel that the council is not fulfilling its responsibilities and are calling on the new leaders who will be elected to deliver meaningful change and create more opportunities for young people and the village.

Howard Cloete says he wants "a service station that will operate 24/7, not 6 to 7. At night, we cannot get fuel. We want ATMs and shopping centres."

For Borris van Kent, unemployment is the biggest problem they face. "We have a job opportunity problem. I feel like we've been complaining so much that it's cliché at this point. Our youth is just down in the dumps, and we are not that motivated."

The lack of infrastructure development is what frustrates Salomia Vries the most, and it will be the reason she votes on Wednesday. "Improve infrastructure like playgrounds, clinics and schools, and I would also love for the council to work with the police to reduce crime in Bethanie and offer various opportunities within Bethanie, like VTC, and also market small businesses in Bethanie.

Seventy-seven-year-old Sarah Coleman pointed out other issues needing to be addressed and redressed in the town, mainly more open communication lines with the local leadership.

"We want councillors, when elected, to address local problems directly and meet with the community. There is no development, youth unemployment is high, outsiders get hired instead of locals, and social issues like crime and substance abuse are growing. Empty houses need to be allocated, some families lack proper toilets, and doctors often don't stay due to poor living conditions here."

Residents say they're looking for leaders who will address challenges like service delivery, infrastructure development, and economic opportunities.