De Lille names mayoral committee
2011-05-27 14:49
Cape Town - City of Cape Town mayor-elect Patricia de Lille on Friday named an expanded 11-member mayoral committee (Mayco), made up of six men and five women.
"Our priority over the next five years is to position Cape Town for growth and jobs, because that is the only sustainable way to overcome poverty and give every resident of our city the means to live a better life," she told a media briefing.
It was essential to pursue the complementary aims of growth, development and inclusion at the same time, which was why the Democratic Alliance's vision for Cape Town rested on five pillars: building an opportunity city; a safe city; an inclusive city; a caring city; and an efficient city, she said.
"I have kept those pillars in mind when constituting my Mayco. In fact, I have reprioritised the portfolios of the Mayco to better serve these key demands.
Expanded portfolios
"With several new, expanded portfolios, we will be able to achieve our policy objectives," De Lille said.
Current deputy mayor Ian Neilson would retain his post and would serve as the Mayco member for finance, where he "previously played a pivotal role in resurrecting the city's finances and ensuring that the financial management of the city is the best in South Africa".
Neilson's duties would be expanded to include the strategic integration of the city's policy agenda and overall responsibility for driving the economic growth and development strategy.
Other duties would include intergovernmental relations, with a special focus on building synergy with the provincial government through strategic interaction.
He would also oversee the city's international relations as well as managing all internal audits and forensic investigations.
"The second expanded portfolio will be economic, environmental and spatial planning," De Lille said.
"It is essential that economic development be linked to environmental and spatial planning to ensure that our planning environment enables sustainable growth and development.
"I am also determined that this administration remove the remaining bottlenecks that persist in city planning. This portfolio will aim to address these concerns with a new, strategic focus.
"It will be the responsibility of one of the most experienced and efficient members of council, Belinda Walker," she said.
Tourism
The third expanded portfolio would be tourism, events and marketing, to be led by Grant Pascoe.
At the heart of a growth, development and inclusion agenda was an integrated road transport (IRT) system that linked people to economic opportunity and to each other.
"We are already in the process of rolling out the IRT, but an enormous amount of work is needed over the next five years to build on the start we have made.
"Brett Herron will lead us in this project as the new Mayco member for transport, roads and storm water."
The social and early childhood development portfolio would stand-alone and would be led by Beverly Cortje-Alcock, a new member of the Mayco team.
"During the campaign, I pledged to begin rolling out services to backyarders.
"The city has already initiated pilot projects surveying the infrastructure needs of backyarder communities in Langa and Hanover Park.
"I am pleased to announce that Ernest Sonnenberg will continue rolling out this work as the Mayco member for housing," De Lille said.
Experience and expertise
Shehaam Sims would be Mayco member for utility services, and would be responsible for ensuring that the provision of basic services be extended even further to all residents.
Lungiswa Gazi-James would serve as the Mayco member for health, and ensure the already excellent levels of care provided by city clinics was further expanded and enhanced, she said.
Tandeka Gqada, who had a strong business management background, would serve in the community services portfolio, looking after a number of key facilities such as libraries, parks and sports facilities.
Demetri Qually would be Mayco member for corporate services, responsible for staff and resources.
"Finally, for his great experience and expertise, JP Smith will serve as the Mayco member for safety and security, where he can drive forward our agenda to make Cape Town a safer city for all," De Lille said.
The appointments would be made official on June 1, when De Lille is officially elected mayor.
- SAPA
