Oudtshoorn Municipal Council welcomed 

16 August 2016

The 25-member Oudtshoorn Municipal Council has been officially welcomed on Tuesday, 16 August 2016 at its inaugural meeting.

The newly elected Executive Mayor, Cllr. Colan Sylvester of the Democratic Alliance (DA) his deputy is Noluthando Mwati (DA) while Cllr. Julia le Roux Krowitz (DA) has been elected as Speaker.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Executive Mayor said: “The Local Government of August 2016 will always be remembered as a watershed moment in the political history of our town.”

“As Council we have a huge task ahead of us to unite our town and as a collective to start this new era and season for Oudtshoorn and its resourceful people,” Sylvester added.

Cllr. Sylvester also acknowledged the problems Oudtshoorn is facing as the new leadership takes over the reign: “Today, we are faced with daunting tasks of the financial situation, deteriorating infrastructure, corruption, lack of skills, lack of vision and a dream of a united Oudtshoorn.”

Councillors from the various political parties in Council took turns to commend the newly elected leadership of the Greater Oudtshoorn.

Cllr. Sylvester also announced his executive mayoral committee that consists of the following councillors;

- Cllr. George Kersop (Finance)

- Johan Fourie (Technical Services)

- Ewa Fortuin (Corporate Services)

- Hendrik Ruiters (Community Services)

- Piet Luiters (Strategic Services)

The IEC officials conducted the elections of representatives to the Eden District Municipal Council. The DA will be represented by Cllrs. Raymond Wildschut and Jerome Lambaatjieen while the African National Congress (ANC) will be represented by Cllr. Klaas Windvogel.

Locally, the composition of the Oudtshoorn Municipal Council comprises 14 DA seats, ANC 7, Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ICOSA) 2, South African Religious Civic Organisation (SARCO) 1 and Economic Freedom Front (EFF) 1.

Councillors and the citizens of the Greater Oudtshoorn were informed that the Intervention that was in place for the past year has been terminated.

Issued by Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, Senior Communications & Media Officer, Oudtshoorn Municipality, 16 August 2016