The Premier of the Western Cape has a vision for growth and a school in Bonnievale is an excellent example of how growth can be achieved even with limited resources.
Premier Alan Winde recently addressed stakeholders at a Cape Winelands mayoral event about public-private partnerships, saying this district is currently the fastest growing in the province. It is predicted to grow by 1,4 million people over the next eight years.
“While this is a huge positive,” the Premier stated, “it also places great pressures on us. These new citizens will need water, electricity and, of course, roads and access to services.
“They will also be consuming the produce of the area and supporting local business. And although I am always the guy who says ‘it’s okay, we’ll do it!’, we cannot do everything on our own.
“We need to partner and find ways of collaborating and innovating so that we can continue to grow.”
He highlighted the partnership between Struisbaai and Bonnievale, which resulted in a new school that was built in “half the time and with half the budget” that is normally required as the perfect example of this. The school was built by learners of the Jakes Gerwel Vocational School in Bonnievale.
The mayoral event, entitled “Enabling economic growth through innovation, partnership and infrastructure”, brought stakeholders from a variety of fields together.
It formed part of the municipality’s public participation programme, which aims to create an environment where expectations can be discussed and innovative solutions to common challenges can be considered.
Cape Winelands Mayor Elna van Schlicht said in her opening address it was only through “unity of purpose” that the Cape Winelands District has and will continue to survive the challenges of the last few years.
“It will be by uniting our talents, resources and energy that we will address the economic crisis and aim to thrive; not only for today, but for the future of all our citizens.”
Stakeholders were also addressed by Economic Development and Tourism MEC Mireille Wenger and Infrastructure MEC Tertius Simmons.
District Municipal Manager Henry Prins led the question-and-answer panel, where guests raised a number of questions related to infrastructure and energy supply.
Government officials believe the evening was a great success, and guests received solid reasons for investing in infrastructure. Visitors were also invited to engage with the various government structures to grow the economy of the Cape Winelands and the province.
