Cape Town: After a month-long internal campaign, the Junior City Council this past Saturday continued its longstanding tradition by electing a Junior Mayor, a Junior Deputy Mayor, a Junior Speaker, and a Junior Chief Whip.
The elected Executive Members are:
- Junior Mayor: Pierce Beaulieu
- Junior Deputy Mayor: Samantha September
- Junior Speaker: Lunam Gusha
- Junior Chief Whip: Lilah Barenes
In an exciting first for the JCC, five assistant Junior Whips were also elected for each JCC Sub-group, marking a new chapter of youth leadership, teamwork and representation within the programme. Newly-elected Junior Mayor – Pierce Beaulieu said, “I am incredibly honoured to serve as Junior Mayor of Cape Town, not because of the title itself, but because of what it represents; the opportunity to listen, to lead, and to amplify the voices of young people across the city.”
He continued to state that ‘leadership is rooted in service and that real impact begins when people feel heard, supported and empowered to act’.
Beaulieu is a Grade-11 learner at the American International School of Cape Town and resides in Hout Bay. Junior Deputy Mayor – September is a Grade-11 learner at Parow High School and is from Elsies River. Junior Speaker – Gusha attends Sea Point High as a Grade-11 learner and is from Khayelitsha while Junior Chief – Whip Barenes, also in Grade-11, attends Fairmont High School and is from Durbanville.
The JCC executive elections were also attended by the 2025 Junior Mayor – Michael-Daniel Bam who inspired the 2026 cohort to lead with purpose, look beyond titles and continue building hope within communities.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien gave a keynote address reminding the JCC cohort that every voice matters and that youth participation remains vital in strengthening the democracy.
Considering this, co-custodians Cllr Nicola Jowell and Cllr Nicole Sukers said that they are incredibly proud of each junior councillor who participated in the executive elections. It is quite remarkable to witness the dynamic, confident visionaries that they have within the JCC.
According to them, each learner brings a different perspective and seeing the various campaigns this past month has elevated that. They are looking forward to the year ahead, growing and leading alongside the newly elected executive and JCC Cohort as a whole.
Notably, the programme is designed to empower Grade-10 and 11 students. The JCC provides an unparalleled platform for young leaders to refine their skills, elevate their self-confidence and embrace their potential as agents of change.