Women's Month Spotlight on Umhlanga Councillor Nicole Bollman

The month of August is Women’s Month and this month we focus on Councillor for Umhlanga, Councillor Nicole Bollman. Learn more about this focus-driven lady in our spotlight interview with her and how she is helping out those in her community.

Councillor Nicole Bollman. | Image: Supplied

As a single mom she works as property practitioner and a Ward Councillor. ‘’It’s imperative that I plan my day, getting the most important work done first,’’ said Councillor Nicole Bollman. No two days are the same for her as critical matters can crop up at any given time and she has to get through great deals of admin work daily.

Her objective since becoming the Ward 35 Councillor in August 2019 is to foster, nurture and maintain a healthy working relationship with the city officials that work within the region. ‘’The eThekwini Municipality has ensured a relatively great turnaround time in respect of resolution,’ ‘ shared Councillor Nicole Bollman.

She is typically a ‘hands on’ type of person and likes to drive outstanding matters but she also takes an interest whilst the teams are on the ground. She likes to understand the processes, learning about systems whether it be water or electricity and then effectively communicating this to the residents within her Ward. ‘’I do believe that communication is king and so by educating our residents I empower them in also understanding processes, working in an inclusive symbiotic environment,’’ noted Councillor Nicole Bollman.

Her advice to young women wanting to make a success of their lives is to be confident and believe that you will be successful. ‘’Be open to other people’s opinions and listen with an open mind,’’ shared Councillor Nicole Bollman. She also advises young ladies to be respectful of yourself and everyone else around you. Life is a series of lessons, good or bad. ‘’Not everything ‘bad’ that happens to you is the end of the world,’’ continued Councillor Nicole Bollman.

Did you know that a Councillor is someone elected to represent their local community in the running of their local council and they have an important role in many of the major decisions that affect the lives of people in their community?

Recently the communities of Durban, Umhlanga and eThekwini Municipality all helped to clean up the community after the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. 

‘’We saw members of our communities band together and get involved in cleaning up our neighbouring suburbs, such as Cornubia, Springfield Park and Queen Nandi together with the various municipal departments such as DSW,’’ said Councillor Nicole Bollman.

This was echoed by Durban North resident Gordon Reid, ‘’We weren’t left feeling alone and helpless, the community came out in droves and it showed how powerful we still are when we unite against a common cause,’’ said Gordon Reid.

‘’It’s reassuring to note the many business engagements, including business formations, after the unrest, they have given much help to work with the eThekwini Municipality in a bid to rebuild,’’ noted eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda.

There is much she loves about Umhlanga including the warm Indian Ocean, the vibey Umhlanga Village with countless restaurants and the landmark Oyster Box Hotel, the sanctuary of the Hawaan Forest, to the play, work live node of the Umhlanga Ridge area with the ever popular Gateway Theatre of Shopping not to mention summer all year round.

The tourism sector has been hard hit because of the COVID-19 pandemic which has severely impacted hotels and B&B’s but restaurants too. ‘’It’s imperative that we, the greater North Durban community, continue to support these establishments as often as we can,’’ shared Councillor Nicole Bollman. She advised people to take advantage of specials on offer for local staycations and use social media to promote these destinations. ‘’Umhlanga is the place to go,’’ said Councillor Nicole Bollman.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the riots in KZN eThekwini Municipality will be giving bed and breakfasts an extension of rates rebates for a further 3 months. This begins on 1 July 2021 with an additional 29% rebate over & above the current 35%.

There are concerns from some people about whether or not to get vaccinated. ‘’I would recommend that people educate themselves,’’ advised Councillor Nicole Bollman. 

In her spare time she is an avid equestrienne and so enjoys spending time with her horse when she can.

‘’Women’s Month is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on not only my own challenges and successes but those of various women who make up our community – a celebration of contributions we, as women, make day to day, whether as single moms or as accomplished business people/leaders,’’ said Councillor Nicole Bollman.