Knysna bids farewell to ‘exemplary’ Langlands
KNYSNA - After more than three decades of working at Knysna Municipality, manager of Protection Services Steven Langlands recently announced his retirement, which became effective on 31 October. Since then an outpouring of well-wishes has come his way on social media.
According to a municipal press statement, his career in civil service began as health inspector at the Paarl Division Council and spans 40 years, 33 of which were spent at Knysna Municipality. One of Knysna Municipality's longest-serving employees, Langlands joined the municipality as a senior environmental health officer on 1 April 1989.
During his tenure with the municipality he also held the position of deputy chief of Health and Housing, among others. Langlands and his teams can be credited with the establishment of a municipal law enforcement section, a 24-hour operational fire department in both Knysna and Sedgefield and the completion of the White Location Multipurpose Centre.
Some of the difficulties he faced included dealing with irate communities regarding housing issues and ensuring that contractors remain on site and continue with works, not to mention the ongoing baboon problem in Hunter's Home. "The ability of various communities to work together have, however, left a great impression on me," he says.
Former acting municipal manager Johannes Jonkers thanked Langlands for his long-time service in the municipality. "An exemplary employee who has shown himself time and again to be a leader with exceptional qualities, Steven Langlands deserves our recognition and gratitude for the value he has brought to this organisation."
Mayor Aubrey Tsengwa extended many congratulations to Langlands for his lengthy and impressive career. "Steven has been a consistent contributor to this institution," he said. "His tenure has seen changes in the national and local political landscape, but he has never wavered in serving his community with a sense of duty and dedication. We wish him well with his future endeavours."
What parting advice did Langlands have for his successor? Well, it perhaps underlines the values that guided Langlands' work at Knysna Municipality. "Deal with all members of the political leadership in the same manner," he said. "Continue to grow the department and carry on improving on service delivery to all members of the community." Although visits to his children in our northern provinces and his sisters in the United Kingdom are in store, Langlands plans on staying in Knysna.