Qaanitah Hunter| Cii News, Pic: Twitter| October 17, 2012

The ANC candidate for the Ward 58 by-election, that includes Mayfair, Mayfair West, Fordsburg, Homestead Park, Amalgam and Langlaagte, is Muhammed Cajee and he hopes to give the area a new lease on life by making a difference to the community.

Speaking to Sabaahul Khair on Wednesday, Cajee explained that his move to campaign for ward councilor is in accordance with his Islamic beliefs because the best service to Allah is the service of fellow men.

The election, scheduled for the 7 November 2012,  has come about after the previous Democratic Alliance (DA) councilor, Zaytoon Waja, resigned.

Thus far Cajee is up against Ebrahim Carrim from the Al Jamah party and Uthman Cassim who represents the DA.

“It will be a challenge to decide who the best candidate will be,” Cajee said. He noted that because Johannesburg is run by the ANC, an ANC elected councilor will have the ability to accomplish things faster than other candidates who still have to establish a relationship with the provincial structures.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done in this area,” he said.

Cajee, who served as a bureau chief for international news agency Al Jazeera in Washington, said that although he is not a miracle worker he will try to fix a few things.

“We all believe with people who are trying there best, then InshAllah things will turn around,” he said.

He said people should not wait for others to make a difference as it is the responsibility of every member of the community.

You can follow him on @CajeeCampaign.