KAROO NEWS - The newly elected Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM), Mzimkhulu Njadayi, encouraged all local municipality councils to pass a resolution for their municipalities to apply for housing developer status.
He stated that this would ensure that municipalities can provide housing to their communities.
This was part of the acceptance speech made by the mayor during the 2021 inaugural council meeting held in Addo on 25 November.
Njadayi, outlined his plans for the district after being elected with a total of 16 votes against Karen Smith (DA), who received 14 votes.
Some of the priorities outlined by the executive mayor included a more intense focus from the district in supporting local municipalities. He stated that, "the SBDM will be actively involved in monitoring - and where applicable - be actively involved in service delivery, ensuring financial sustainability, and promoting good governance in local municipalities".
Economic growth through a focus on economic infrastructure was the second priority. The mayor stated that SBDM will intensify its lobbying efforts and push for major routes to be rebuilt or upgraded.
Another important priority mentioned during the acceptance speech was services to communities, including focusing on water provision and availability, sanitation, bulk infrastructure development, small-town revitalisation and upgrading informal settlements. He also indicated that he would focus on the relocation of the SBDM offices to Addo. The mayor, who was previously the speaker of the council in Sarah Baartman District Municipality, thanked all councillors for how they have worked together for the development of the district.
Nomhle Gaga (ANC) was elected as the speaker after she received 16 votes against the DA's Joseph Britz, who received 14 votes.
The mayor announced that he would be leading the special programmes portfolio himself.
Therefore only four mayoral committee members were announced:
Solethu Lucas - Infrastructure Development and Community Services, Charlene Booysen - Finance, Phindile Faxi - Corporate Services and Zoliswa Funiselo - Planning and Economic Development.
The Sarah Baartman District Municipality Council consists of 30 councillors, 12 PR councillors and 18 council representatives from local municipalities.
The list of PR councillors are as follows:
1. Mzimkhulu Eric Njadayi (ANC)
2. Nomhle Sonia Gaga (ANC)
3. Charlene Tarin Booysen (ANC)
4. Phindile Patrick Faxi (ANC)
5. Zoliswa Funiselo (ANC)
6. Solethu Lucas (ANC)
7. Joseph Hennie Britz (DA)
8. Rory Gailey (DA)
9. Laetitia Erasmus (DA)
10. Robin Jantjies (DA)
11. Joerhan Mey (DA)
12. Nomalungisa Koba (EFF)
The list of representatives from the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipalities are as follows:
1. Daniel Bezuidenhout
2. Adriaan van Heerden
3. Deon de Vos.
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