First year in office a success, council says
On 2 November 2021, a day after the local government elections, the current Mossel Bay municipal council came into office.
The executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, formulated a GROW strategy which has been adopted by council and implemented by the administration.
The strategy rests on five pillars: a focus on the local economy, the environment, community safety, good governance and social regeneration.
The municipality noted in a media release this week, that: "During a strategic session, looking back on the past year, directorates offered their feedback on the deliverables in each strategic focus area and there are successes aplenty."
Kotzé states in the media release: “One year ago today, the residents of the greater Mossel Bay area put their trust in me and elected me executive mayor.
"My vision then was to form and develop partnerships, improve safety and create a more sustainable and economically attractive environment."
He noted that partnerships were of vital importance to him, since they provided the firm foundation for successful cooperation.
Community safety
"One of the greatest success stories of the past year, is the establishment of the Joint Operation Centre, which provides a nodal point from where information and service delivery can be managed," the media release noted.
"The JOC is but a part of the community safety portfolio, where notable work has been done regarding future implementation of units to combat land invasion, among others.
"Value-added services offered at the centre also include offering a service to look at community wellbeing in a holistic way."
As for law enforcement, a functional municipal court which serves under the Directorate Community Safety, adds to the success of bringing residents who are in transgression of municipal by-laws to book.
Kotzé said: “We have successfully joined hands with various organisations which include the taxi associations, neighbourhood watch groups, non-profit organisations, homeowners’ associations as well as the faith community, not to mention our partners in other state departments, dealing with safety, law enforcement and justice."
The media release concluded: "As for boosting the economy, Mossel Bay is experiencing a bumper event season boosted by the launch of the Iconic Mossel Bay destination marketing brand.
"A concerted effort is being made to develop entrepreneurship and create economic opportunities for informal traders.
“Educational and business training events have been hosted and more business hubs are being created in specific wards."