Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A developmental approach will be the key to success for the new administrator of the Kannaland Municipality.

At a special Mossel Bay Council meeting on Friday, 15 February it was agreed after lengthy discussion that Mossel Bay Municipality, pending the council's approval of a memorandum of understanding and a secondment agreement, would allow the secondment of its director of corporate services Edward Jantjies to the Western Cape Department of Local Government.

Jantjies will take up the challenging role of administrator at the Kannaland Municipality on 1 March. The secondment was approved for a period of six months.

Jantjies told the Mossel Bay Advertiser that his passion as a developmental leader would be used to assist the Kannaland Municipality to become a trendsetting local government.

"I believe in working with the community in seeking solutions. Everybody knows the emphasis I put on developing people and their potential. I am looking forward to assisting with the efforts of ensuring that proper systems and protocols are re-established to return Kannaland Municipality to its full potential.

"I am sure Kannaland will soon emerge as a trendsetting local authority in the region," Jantjies said.

Council approved with a majority of votes the secondment subject to the compliance of all relevant legislation and for a period of six months.

The ANC stated that, although its members in principle do not object to the request from the provincial Department of Local Government to have Jantjies seconded, it is in its opinion imperative that the views of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) be obtained before a final decision is made. The ANC therefore abstained.

"The Cogta will have to be approached for the secondment of an administrator for any period in excess of 28 days," councillor Jovan Bruinders, provincial chair of the ANC stated.

Council heard that the intergovernmental agreement in this regard was between the local and provincial authorities.

While Icosa was absent from the council meeting and had excused itself, the other two opposition parties, the VF+ and ACDP voted against the recommendation, due to the probable cost of the decision for Mossel Bay ratepayers.

The municipal manager, Adv Thys Giliomee, was given the delegated powers to conclude the secondment agreement which will have to be tabled at the following council meeting by the end of February.

The current manager of economic development and planning, Gwynn Harding was appointed as the acting director of corporate services as of 1 March.

Read a previous article here: Developmental approach key for new administrator

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