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Council

Both parties in agreement when electing New Speaker

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is delighted to announce that the Acting Speaker, Cllr Barend (Barnie) Groenewald was unanimously elected as the new Speaker during a Council meeting held on 27 June 2019.
 
The position became vacant following the recent resignation of Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies as Speaker of Council and her inauguration as a member of the National Assembly.
 
Cllr Barnie Groenewald previously acted in the position of Speaker before the appointment of Cllr Bouw-Spies and was once again re-elected as Acting Speaker during a Council meeting on 28 May 2019.
 
Cllr Ivan Mangaliso, spokesperson of the ANC, during the Council meeting, congratulated the newly elected Speaker on his appointment and emphasised that his party regards Groenewald fit for the position and believe that he will bring and keep the ‘house’ in order.
 
GRDM Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen, referred to the occurrence where both sides of the house nominated and agreed in placing their trust in Cllr Groenewald, as an unusual event. “Our side of the ‘house’ welcome you as the new Speaker; we acknowledge your competence and the manner in which you have managed the house in the past. We believe that you will take us to higher levels,” Mayor Booysen said.
 
The leader of the PBI (Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners), Cllr Virgil Gericke, commented by congratulating Cllr Groenewald and advised him to “always act just and fair, and try to look for the right thing to do”.
 
During his first address, Speaker Groenewald said: “I would like to thank you for the opportunity. I will serve my Councillors diligently and continue to stay humble. My objective is to make you all happy councillors, to remove your frustrations and assist you where I can,” Speaker Groenewald added.
 
He concluded by saying that he will always allow his Christian principles and the following words to guide him in performing his work: “In everything you think, say or do, ask yourself – is this true, is it fair for concern, will it build better friendships and understanding, and lastly, will it be of benefit to all”.

Notice of the election of Speaker of Garden Route District Municipality

This serves as official notification that Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies, on Thursday, 13 December 2018, during a Special Council Meeting, was inaugurated in as Councillor of the Garden Route District Council.Soon after her inauguration, she was also elected as the Speaker of the Garden Route District Municipality.

Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies, soon after being elected as the new Speaker of the Garden Route District Municipality.

Council warmly welcomed Cllr Bouw-Spies as the new Speaker of the Garden Route District Municipality.  Cllr Piet van der Hoven said:  “We have full confidence in your ability to fulfill your task with dignity and fairness. Councillor Claudia Lichaba welcomed Cllr Bouw-Spies and said: “Congratulations, now we have a clear direction going forward and for that you should direct us with your leadership. We have now a lot of women in leadership positions,” she added.

Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies, chairing her first Council meeting, with Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Clive Africa (left) and Ms Daphne October, Acting Executive Manager for Corporate Services (right).

The Speaker position became vacant after Councillor Mark Willemse (former Speaker) resigned on 11 June 2018. During the absence of the permanent speaker, Cllr Barend Groenewald acted as Speaker of Council and served for a period of 7 months.

Cllr Groenewald in his resignation letter as the acting Speaker, extended a word of gratitude to the Garden Route District Council. He thanked Council for the trust they bestowed on him during his acting period. In response to that, fellow councillors highly praised him for his leadership role during the past months and the excellent manner in which he directed all proceedings of Council.

Public Notice: Tabling of 2017/18 Annual Report of Garden Route DM

Public Notice: Tabling of 2017/18 Annual Report of Garden Route DM

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Report for the 2017/18 financial year will be tabled at the Garden Route District Municipality Council meeting on 13 December 2018 in terms of Section 127(2) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), 52 of 2003. Also, the Annual Report is tabled as informed by circular 63 of the MFMA.

Special Council Meeting Currently Underway at GRDM

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 29 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998, of a Special Council meeting that will be held in the CA Robertson Council Chambers, 54 York Street, George on Monday, 1 October 2018 at 11:00 to consider the items as set out in the agenda.

AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE:
– Report on a proposal to host a Garden Route Golf Championship in association with the Ernie Else Autism Foundation.
– Annual Deviation Report – Implementation of the Supply Chain Management Policy for the period 01 July 2017 – 30 June 2018.
– Report on the amended Travel and Subsistence Policy.
– Report on the Progress made with the establishment of the Garden Route District Municipality as a Water Services Authority.
– Report on an invitation to Indonesia from 06 – 11 September 2018 and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
– Report on an invitation to Dubai, Peru and Chile.

#GardenRoute #GRDM #Council #SpecialCouncil

Eden DM officially changed to Garden Route District Municipality

It is with pleasure to announce that on 24 August 2018, the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, MEC Anton Bredell, officially approved the name change of Eden District Municipality to the Garden Route District Municipality.

Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen (front, 2nd from left) and Executive Deputy Mayor, Cllr Rosina Ruiters (front, 3rd from right), with the Government Gazette. Here the Council, Management and staff share in the moment soon after the announcement.

The announcement was made  in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998), as per the Western Cape Government Provincial Gazette no: 7972 published on 24 August 2018.

Download the full copy of the Government Gazette No 7972.

Eden DM in collaboration with Oudtshoorn empowered creches in Greater Oudsthoorn

“100 Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018” celebrations

The Eden DM Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen, his office and employees from the Municipal Manager’s office, this year focused on empowering Early Childhood Development (ECD) institutions on Mandela Day. The District also partnered with Oudtshoorn Municipality and Ward Councillors from the Municipality who serve on the Eden DM Council to ensure that the most vulnerable crèches benefitted from the initiative. During Mayor Booysen’s address to crèches he emphasised the importance of improving the “conditions at ECD centres” and commended teachers for their “dedication and selfless efforts to ensure the well-being of all children”.

The following crèches received 20 mattresses, 20 blankets and 10 chairs each: Katryntjie and Sommeblom crèche in Oudtshoorn, Emmanuel Crèche in Dysselsdorp and De Rust Pre-Primary in De Rust.

More photographs can be viewed by browsing to Eden District Municipality’s Facebook page here: https://goo.gl/pCifXo

Nelson Mandela Day logo

Executive Mayor of Eden District Municipality launches the Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018 celebration

“Be the Legacy”

Today, the Executive Mayor of Eden District Municipality (Eden DM), Cllr Memory Booysen, launched the “100 years Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018” celebrations with its National theme “Be the Legacy,” at the Municipality’s Head-Office in George.

After the official launch, Mayor Booysen will be heading to Oudtshoorn Municipality to continue with the a joint programme with Executive Mayor of Oudtshoorn Municipality, Cllr Colan Sylvester.

Officials based at Eden DM sub-offices will take part in various initiatives within the entire district throughout the day.