Addressing ministers, councilors, officials and a packed public gallery, in both English and Afrikaans, newly elected Knysna Executive Mayor Georlene Wolmarans said: "This is the start of a new era. For the first time in ten years Knysna Municipality will be led by a DA majority."
Mayor Wolmarans pipped Titi Gombo by 11 votes to seven to become Knysna’s new executive mayor.
She elaborated that it had been hard work, "but I believe that our work is only starting".
Mayor Wolmarans explained that the primary function of local government is service delivery. "The Democratic Alliance will uphold the constitutional right of the people of the town to ensure that everyone has access to the basic services and social amenities they need to improve their lives. Clean water, safe and secure accommodation, electricity, sanitation and solid waste removal as well as creating social infrastructure, are just some of the key elements in a healthy, integrated society," she said.
The mayor expressed that the new council was looking forward to working with the municipal manager, Johnny Douglas and his team. "We hope that we will grow collectively, working with you to ensure we reach our goals."
She then turned her attention to the opposition councilors saying, "To my fellow opposition councilors, we need you. We need your experience, skills and knowledge of your communities and without each of you we cannot properly work towards making Knysna a town fit for all."
Mayor Wolmarans further acknowledged that the DA and its opposition had "fought each other in a free and fair election and the voters chose the DA as the majority. But from today, we are all on Team Knysna together."
Wolmarans said that she was looking forward to a new era in the life of Knysna, by being an accessible and approachable executive mayor. "You can bring your problems to me; my door will be open." She continued by expressing her commitment to ensure that all councilors, in particular ward councilors, including the senior management team would be equally accessible and available for the community of Knysna.
In conclusion she quoted the DA manifest: "The DA has had the opportunity to prove itself in local government over the last five years. And it has been shown that life gets better, step-by-step, for everybody where the DA governs. Today is a new start for Knysna."
Mayoral committee
The mayoral committee serving with the executive mayor on her council, consists of:
Executive deputy mayor, Advocate Michelle Wasserman (Ward 9 councilor) - chairperson: Corporate and Finance Committee.
Councilor Magda Williams (Ward 5 councilor) - chairperson: Community Services Committee..
Councilor Esme Edge - chairperson: Infrastructure Development Committee.
Councilor Louise Hart (Ward 2 councilor) - chairperson: Planning and Development Committee.
Councilor Richard Dawson (Ward 10 councilor) was elected as speaker, and Councilor Beauty Hololoshe as acting speaker. Both are DA representatives.
The remaining members of the Knysna Council are:
Irene Grootboom (DA) - Ward 1.
Migiel Lizwani (ANC) - Ward 3.
Wiseman Litoli (ANC) - Ward 4.
Clive Witbooi (ANC) - Ward 6.
Titi Gombo (ANC) - Ward 7.
Ntombizanele Sopeki (Independent)- Ward 8.
Lungelwa Charlie (DA).
Mthobeli Dyantyi (ANC).
Doris Nayler (DA).
Phumla Nkam (ANC).
Elrick van Aswegen (COPE).
Velile Waxa (ANC).
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Prinvincial Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde, attended the inaugural Knysna Council meeting. From left are Speaker Richard Dawson, Executive Mayor Georlene Wolmarans, Minister Alan Winde, Deputy Mayor Michelle Wasserman and Municipal Knysna Municipal Manager Johnny Douglas.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN
