MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay resident Leon van Dyk (52) was this week introduced as the new proportional representation councillor for Mossel Bay.

Van Dyk replaces councillor Len Rauch, who passed away recently. 

Van Dyk is the owner of a family business and has been a director and shareholder for the last 26 years with his wife, Yolande. Before joining the family business, he served as a police officer in various positions. He holds a BA Hons degree in political science. In the mid-1990s, Van Dyk was involved in the establishment of community sector policing structures.

Van Dyk and Yolande have been married for 30 years and they have a daughter who lives in Cape Town.

Talking to the Mossel Bay Advertiser shortly after his introduction, Van Dyk said that his main goals were to ensure honest and open communication with the public. He said he would like to be accessible as a councillor and promote and advance community safety. "Especially in rural communities and, where possible, in the greater Mossel Bay area."

Mossel Bay's executive deputy mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, also the Democratic Alliance's constituency chairman, welcomed Councillor Van Dyk to the municipal council. "Leon has been very active both in the community and the Ward Committee for Ward 8 for the past four years. He is a valued member of the DA's management team and has for some time maintained a close working relationship with most councillors and municipal administration.

"I look forward to a productive collaboration with him as a colleague in the council."

The executive mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal, also the DA caucus chairman, said councillors looked forward to benefiting from Van Dyk's expertise and knowledge in the business world and as a community leader in the safety environment.

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