Mark Barnes was born in Belgravia Estate Athlone and attended Alicedale Primary School and Garlandale High School. 

He was employed with the City of Cape Town for 36 years in various positions and directorates which included Transport Roads and Stormwater, Transport for Cape Town, Service Delivery Integration, Urban Renewal, Councilor Support and Economic Opportunities and Asset Management. Mark has served in various positions in the City of Cape Town from Admin Officer to Manager Administration and Head Administration. 

Mark’s knowledge of the City of Cape Town is extensive within Local Government. His responsibilities through the years in various departments is wide ranging and he has served on various section 79 Portfolio Committees. High level functions included the coordination of Risk Management, Audit Reports, Client Account Management, Internal Audit Interventions, Probity Function (Forensics cases, Ethics matters and Ombudsman issues). 

Mark participated in various high-level projects and headed up the EPWP program for the Directorate Economic Opportunities and Management and managed various strategic initiatives. He also served on the City’s Policy Review Committee.

His passion, in the various positions, was always to service the people in his communities and to ensure effective services delivery and that his knowledge will benefit the community and ward. Mark is married with a 17-year-old daughter. Mark enjoys are football and hockey and currently owns a hockey franchise that focuses on the development of hockey for children that are less privileged.