Gaster Sharpley has extensive experience in local government and the private sector. He has also written three books. My Small Business is a guide for small business owners based on his own experiences; Yesterday is a story of the struggle in Wentworth, in Durban; and a third book deals with marriage. Another area Sharpley sees as important is the relationship between councillors and officials. "I think we need to be sensitive to the needs of the councillors. They are closest to the people we serve and I feel we need to respect them and work closely with them."