Speakers’ Corner: Anne Waithira Burke

Anne Waithira Burke APR24

ith the local elections set for Friday, June 7th, we have once again sent out our Speakers’ Corner questionnaire to the local wide-eyed hopefuls.

Starting with the 11 candidates running in the Greystones Electoral Area, we’ll then open the floor to the other 6,539 upstanding Wicklow citizens currently stepping into the ring for 2024.

Up for grabs, 32 councillor seats across this great county of ours, with all the hopes and dreams – plus prestige, pressure, resentment, ridicule and mediocre pay – that such an exalted position entails.

Suffice to say, there are plenty of candidates to choose from, from the strong, silent types who simply, quietly get on with their work in the community to the loud, social media-shagging self-promoters who seem to leave little time for any actual graft. We’ve been reporting on this town daily for 12 years now, and the one thing we’ve become very, very wary of is the black arts of stolen valour. Feckers sticking their flag in other people’s hard work by racing to share the good news first on Facebook, Instagram and beyond, slyly hoovering up all the likes, thanks and praise in the process.

It’s akin to waiting at the finish line and throwing your arm around the winner for a quick selfie, owning their victory online before they’ve even had time to catch their breath.

So, whatever your party loyalties and your political leanings, it’s worth taking a moment to look beyond the glitter. These people will be your eyes and ears – and big mouth – down in Wicklow County Council, after all.

In the meantime, on with Speakers Corner 2024, and the Labour candidate with a widescreen view of the world, Anne Waithira Burke. First, a quick bio…

Anne has lived in Greystones for over 10 years with her two children. She has been actively involved in the local community, through being a board member of a local family support organisation and a member of the Parent Leadership Team in one of the town’s schools.

Africa Day 2023 at Burnaby Park

She has also organised many multicultural events in the Charlesland area and in Burnaby Park, and has volunteered with Connecting Kilcoole to organise the village Christmas lights and events for older people.

Anne has contributed to many national campaigns on anti-racism, women’s rights, combating and outlawing FGM. She has experience of working at local council level, having previously served as an intern with Councillor Joe Behan, and ran for office in the Greystones area in 2019.

And now for those thoughtful, caring, sharing GG questions…

What inspired you to become involved in local politics? Was there a Road To District Council moment…?
I’ve always had a strong interest in politics. I spent years working behind the scenes to assist candidates, plan and manage campaigns, participate in demonstrations, and advocate for change. It all began when I was in boarding school in Kenya and ran for prefect, student leader, and student ambassador positions.

I got interested in politics in Ireland when I accompanied a few ladies on their playground campaign. Later, as my children and I went through a terrible time of bullying, discrimination, hate crimes, and racism, it became evident that I needed to stand up for myself and fight for them as well. We were living in fear because of this getting so horrible. I then put my political heart to use and attempted to turn this bad into a good by getting involved in the community and organising Charlesland’s Multicultural Day. This was my way out of our precarious situation.

From there, things moved forward, and I joined the Immigrant Council of Ireland’s councillor mentorship scheme. Cllr. Joe Behan, with whom I was paired, served as a mentor and taught me the fundamentals of councillor work. I entered my name to run for office in 2019 after he rekindled my passion for politics.

Of your work so far, are there particular achievements that you are particularly proud of?
I have taken pride in planning, directing, and introducing the Multicultural Festival and Africa Day events to Greystones. Every Greystonian has a tremendous opportunity to interact and get to know one another by using these days as platforms to highlight education, diversity, integration and inclusion. I have also been so proud of the many volunteering opportunities i have had over the years and being part of this amazing society.
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Looking forward, what are the main goals that you would like to achieve over the coming years?
In the upcoming years, I hope to see our public transport system resolved so that it is fit for purpose. I also hope to take up the mantle from fellow councillors and TDs who have devoted countless hours to guaranteeing that every child has a place in school and to fight for Greystones, ensuring that no child is left behind or disappointed. I hope to see safe spaces established for victims of gender-based violence, such as a women’s refuge and safe zones spread throughout the Municipality.

I would work hard to attempt acquire more areas for teenagers and young people to hang out and socialise safely without fear, especially with new and young families arriving into Greystones. Better infrastructure is something I would like to see for our streets, roads, beach and drainage. In the fight against the housing crisis, I will advocate for Greystones to have more affordable social housing. In my efforts to unite native Greystonians with newcomers, I shall continue to advocate for equality, empowerment, inclusion, and integration.

To turn a fine Mayor Quimby quote into a question, ask not what you can do for your county, but what you can do for your county…?
I promise to put in my all for the residents of Greystones LEA — working, fighting, advocating and representing the people of Greystones. Kilcoole, Delgany, Newcastle and Killadrenan.

On the campaign trail… MAR24

If being a politician doesn’t work out, have you got a Career B in mind? Dancer? Magician? Traffic warden…?
I will always work in the community since working with people is what I excel at. As I study social science and cultural innovation, this opens opportunities to careers in social care, community service, and youth work, to name a few. I also enjoy working with my hands and can create crafts and art. I also do music and dance. Jack of all trades…

Trump or Biden?
Trump.

You can find out more about Anne Waithira Burke here, and follow on Instagram here, Facebook here, X here or TikTok here, and contact directly on email here. You can also donate to Anne’s campaign fund here.