Francine Higham is the DA’s candidate for Councillor of Ward 77 in the City of Cape Town. Ward 77 includes Tamboerskloof, Vredehoek, Oranjezicht, Signal Hill, Schotschekloof, Bo-Kaap and Upper Gardens.

Francine was born in Cape Town and grew up in the Eastern Cape, where she completed a Bachelor of Journalism at Rhodes University.

After graduating, Francine returned to Cape Town and joined Media24, where she worked as an online journalist. She subsequently moved to London, where she spent ten years working in digital media and communications.

While living in London, Francine was a founding member of DA Abroad, the DA’s overseas network, where she volunteered in activism and community organisation among the South African diaspora. In 2016, she was elected as Leader of the organisation.

Francine returned to South Africa and subsequently served in the Western Cape Government as Media Liaison Officer to the provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities.

In 2021, Francine was elected as the DA Councillor for Ward 77. Over the past five years, she has worked with residents, community organisations, City officials and other partners to address the issues affecting communities across Ward 77.

In 2025, Francine was appointed as the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, expanding her experience in local government and service delivery with a broader focus on homelessness, social upliftment, youth development, environmental protection and the maintenance of public spaces across the City.

Francine brings extensive experience in community organisation, leadership, communications and local government to her role as Ward Councillor. She is committed to listening to residents, understanding the issues that matter most to them, and working with communities, local businesses and organisations to deliver practical solutions and get things done.

Over the past five years, Francine has worked to get things done for the community of Ward 77 – responding to service delivery challenges, addressing homelessness, supporting safer communities, protecting our environment, strengthening infrastructure and caring for our parks and public spaces.

There is more to do. Francine is asking for the opportunity to build on five years of progress:

1. Building safer communities by continuing to support neighbourhood watches and community safety structures, strengthening partnerships with City law enforcement and other agencies, and addressing the everyday issues – from street lighting to neglected spaces – that affect safety in communities
2. Continued action on homelessness by building on partnerships with the City, NGOs, shelters and organisations supporting people living on the streets, while continuing to address unlawful encampments and create pathways towards more stable lives.
3. Strengthening services and infrastructure by responding to service delivery challenges, helping residents navigate City processes, unblocking problems and advocating for continued investment in roads, water, electricity, parks, recreation facilities and other essential infrastructure.
4. Support growth and opportunity while keeping residents at the centre by remaining accessible and responsive, ensuring residents have a voice as Ward 77 grows and changes, and working with local businesses and community organisations to ensure that communities share in the benefits of growth.

For the latest updates on news and events for Ward 77 email citybowl77@da.org.za or follow www.facebook.com/DACityBowl