KNYSNA NEWS - Stepping down from the reins at Knysna Municipality, Acting Municipal Manager Dr Richard Martin has confirmed the resignation of Johnny Douglas, Director: Community Services, effective yesterday, Saturday 31 October.
“He has served this municipality in many capacities, and has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment, dedication and a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty,” Martin said.
Douglas previously held the office of Municipal Manager from January 2007 until August 2011. He returned to the municipality as Acting Municipal Manager in January 2017 for an initial three-month term, which was extended until Council resolved to make a permanent appointment in June of that year.
His appointment as Director: Community Services was announced in December 2024. Martin commended Douglas’ strategic leadership, particularly his role in managing the municipality’s water challenges and his contribution to strengthening and improving the Section 154 intervention process involving local and national government.
“Council and the administration commend Mr Douglas’ strategic leadership, his role in managing the water challenges we face, and his contribution to strengthening and improving the Section 154 intervention process with local and national government,” Martin said.
Douglas thanked Council for the opportunity to serve as Director of Community Services and expressed his gratitude to his fellow directors and the dedicated staff of the directorate. “Under difficult conditions we taught each other what service delivery really means,” he said.
He described service delivery as the everyday work carried out by municipal employees, including collecting waste in the rain, opening libraries for children, maintaining parks, repairing burst and leaking pipes despite staff shortages and inadequate equipment, and remaining on standby after hours.
As he prepares to leave the municipality, Douglas appealed to Council to provide collective leadership on two matters he considers particularly important.
He called on councillors to fulfil their oversight responsibilities in terms of Section 103 of the Municipal Systems Act, refrain from interfering in administrative matters and uphold the principles of servant leadership.
He also cautioned against municipal officials engaging in partisan political activities, saying this was contrary to the Code of Conduct for Municipal Staff and the principles of ethical governance. He said such conduct should be addressed by the Accounting Officer.
“Serving Knysna Municipality and its community has been a privilege, and I depart with deep respect for this institution and confidence in Knysna's future,” Douglas said. Martin wished Douglas and his family well in his new position at George Municipality.
“George Municipality will benefit from our loss,” he said, adding that Douglas takes with him his integrity, commitment to professional governance and long-held principles of ethical and non-partisan public service.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
