THE newly elected Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM), Councillor Mzimkhulu Njadayi, encouraged all local municipality councils to pass a resolution for their municipalities to apply for housing developer status, to ensure that municipalities are able to provide housing to their communities.
This was part of the acceptance speech made by the executive mayor during the 2021 inaugural council meeting, held in Addo, on November 25. Njadayi outlined his plan for the district after being elected with a total of 16 votes, against Councillor 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.
“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,” said Njadayi.
Economic growth through a focus on economic infrastructure was the second priority.
Njadayi stated that SBDM would 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; this included a focus 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.
Njadayi, who was previously the speaker of council in Sarah Baartman District Municipality, thanked all councillors for the way they had worked together towards the development of the district.
During the meeting, Councillor Nomhle Gaga (ANC) was elected as speaker of council, as he received 16 votes against Councillor Joseph Britz (DA), who received 14 votes.
The executive mayor announced that he would be leading the special programmes portfolio himself. Therefore, only four mayoral committee members were announced as follows:
. Councillor Solethu Lucas –infrastructure development and community services.
. Councillor Charlene Booysen –finance.
.
Councillor Phindile Faxi –
corporate services.
. Councillor Zoliswa Funiselo –planning and economic development.
The Sarah Baartman District Municipality council consists of 30 councillors, of which 12 are PR councillors and 18 are council representatives from local municipalities.
The list of PR councillors is:
. Mzimkhulu Eric Njadayi (ANC)
. Nomhle Sonia Gaga (ANC)
. Charlene Tarin Booysen (ANC)
. Phindile Patrick Faxi (ANC)
. Zoliswa Funiselo (ANC)
. Solethu Lucas (ANC)
.Joseph Hennie Britz (DA)
. Rory Gailey (DA)
.Laetitia Erasmus (DA)
. Robin Jantjies (DA)
. Joerhan Mey (DA)
. Nomalungisa Koba (EFF)
The list of representatives from local municipalities is as follows:
. Blue Crane Route Municipality – Phandulwazi Sonkwala.
. Dr Beyers Naude Municipality – DanielBezuidenhout, Adriaan van Heerden and Deon de Vos.
. Kouga Municipality – Horatio Hendricks, Hattingh Bornman, Vuyokazi Gunuza and Margaret Valgee.
. Koukamma Municipality – Nomathamsanqa Sikiwe and Richard Krige.
. Makana Municipality – Zodwa Cetu, Xolani Madyo and Mzamo Booysen.
. Ndlambe Municipality – Phumlani Khungwayo, Sikhumbuzo Venene and Xolisa Runeli.
. Sundays River Valley Municipality – Nombasa Langbooi and Karen Smith.
– ISSUED BY: SARAH BAARTMAN DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY COMMUNICATIONS
