Gomes drives safer communities and better roads in Midvaal

Chantal Gomes does not wait for someone else to fix a problem. Whether it is a damaged road, an unsafe neighbourhood or a municipal service that needs improvement, her instinct is to step forward and get involved.

That determination now drives her work as Midvaal’s MMC for Public Safety and Roads. Her department carries a demanding portfolio that includes traffic, fire and rescue services, law enforcement, and the maintenance and upgrading of roads.

The challenge keeping her busiest is one every motorist knows too well.

“Potholes, potholes, potholes. I dream about potholes at night,” Gomes joked.

Midvaal’s ageing road network has been battered by unusually heavy rainfall, leaving teams in a constant race against further deterioration.

“We fill about 1,000 potholes a week and we are still battling,” she said.

Gomes’ work, however, extends far beyond the municipality’s roads. She is particularly proud of efforts to strengthen safety at community level by supporting community policing forums, farm watches and neighbourhood watches.

The municipality has provided these groups with equipment including first-aid kits, torches and drones, giving volunteers better tools to protect the areas in which they live.

“I think residents have felt the difference in communities where these structures are active. It has empowered them tremendously,” she said.

Her drive to serve began long before she entered politics. Gomes describes herself as a “serial volunteer” who became involved in non-profit organisations, karate training for children, youth horse-riding initiatives, fire protection structures and local showgrounds.

“I have never been willing to sit back and just complain,” she said. “If you do not like how something is being run, put your hand up and become part of the solution.”

That same approach has shaped her municipal career. During her time in Corporate Services, Gomes helped advance Midvaal’s digital transformation. She is now bringing technology into public safety to strengthen operations and improve the municipality’s response to residents.

As a woman leading a demanding portfolio, Gomes believes credibility is earned through preparation, consistency and hard work.

“It shows that anybody can make it, irrespective of age, race or gender,” she said. “Perseverance, consistency and having an ethical framework will allow you to succeed.”

For Gomes, leadership is not about watching from the sidelines. It is about showing up, taking responsibility and doing the work—even when another thousand potholes are waiting.