The Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) Council elected Councillor Deon de Vos as the new executive mayor of the district, during a special council meeting held last week at the SBDM Council Chambers.
This was the first meeting of council since the passing of the late executive mayor, Councillor Mzimkhulu Njadayi.
During the acceptance speech made by De Vos, he reiterated the priorities of the late executive mayor and pledged to continue with the same plans which were aimed at improving the lives of the communities of the district.
He outlined his plan for the district after being elected with a total of 16 votes, against Councillor Karen Smith (DA) who received 14 votes.
Some of the priorities outlined by the executive mayor included a more intense focus from the district in supporting local municipalities and an urgency in moving the SBDM offices to Addo.
De Vos comes from Willowmore and was previously the speaker of council at SBDM and the mayor of Dr Beyers Naude Municipality. He is also currently the acting president of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).
During the meeting, Councillor Katie Hendricks was sworn in as the new representative to the SBDM Council from Dr Beyers Naude Municipality, replacing the vacancy left by De Vos, who served as representation from the local municipality.
The executive mayor announced that he would be leading the special programmes portfolio himself. Therefore, only four mayoral committee members were announced as follows, Councillor Solethu Lucas (corporate services), Councillor Charlene Booysen (finance), Councillor Phindile Faxi (infrastructure development and community services) and Councillor Zoliswa Funiselo (planning and economic development).
