MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The following noteworthy issues stemmed from the monthly council meeting held on 27 February.
Post Office for KwaNonqaba
The executive mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal, said when the negotiations first started to establish a Thusong Centre in Mossel Bay, it was mooted that a Post Office for the greater KwaNonqaba area would form part of the government services offered at the centre.
"Our intention always was for the Thusong Centre to be a one-stop shop where our elderly, the people in our community living with disabilities, and our youth could access a full array of government services.
"We now find ourselves in the unenviable position where a handful of people have seized land intended to be used for the benefit of the larger community. The funding is available, the contractor is scheduled to begin operations on 9 March, but the few who have now illegally built structures on the land designated for the extension of the Thusong Centre are now hampering the prospects of better service delivery to all the people of not only KwaNonqaba but the greater Mossel Bay area.
"I call on the leaders to intervene. I call on all leaders to put petty politics behind us for the sake of the community at large, for the sake of the vulnerable, the aged, and the youth who are served in exemplary fashion at the best-run Thusong Centre in the country. Please intervene and insist that the people who are now illegally occupying the land should not be selfish."
Mayoral Tea
Mayor Levendal apologised for the interruption in the annual Mayoral Tea programme due to his illness.
He asked the various ward councillors to proceed with arrangements to again host the Mayoral Teas in the various wards, where they had to be postponed at the end of 2019.
"The Mayoral Tea programme is an important opportunity for the community members to share first-hand their concerns and what they have on their minds; I treasure the opportunity to speak frankly with our community."
YES Community Hubs
Mayor Levendal announced that Transnet will invest in and oversee the development of YES Community Hubs in strategic locations in Mossel Bay as part of its 2020/21 Corporate Social Investment Strategy.
YES stands for Youth Employment Service and these hubs are part of a business-driven partnership with government and labour to create economic opportunities for black youth. They're designed to bring investment and technology into the heart of communities, building local capabilities and opportunity, where the youth are.
Regional Enterprise and Supplier Development manager at Transnet Elmondo Paulse and Sithembiso Soyaya from the Port of Mossel Bay met with Mayor Levendal and Logan Duthie before the council meeting to identify and discuss various collaborative opportunities between the stakeholders. The project will commence during the 2020/21 financial year.
Paulse and Soyaya were also offered the opportunity during the council meeting to expand on their plans for the centre.
Council then approved the recommendation for the establishment of the YES Hub for Mossel Bay. Typically, the YES Hub consists of several modules based on the analyses of the area where the Hub is to be developed. Plans for a YES Hub are already well advanced in Saldanha, and the second YES Hub is being planned for Mossel Bay.
The hub may consist of any of the following: a kitchen/food services module for a restaurant of growing fresh products; small business support module, aquaponics and agri module, internet café module, renewable energy module and primary healthcare module.
Land of approximately 5 000 square metres is earmarked for the development that will be established and constructed by TNPA and transferred to the municipality after five years. Thereafter the municipality will be responsible for the maintenance and operations of the Hub.
Goods Shed
Mayor Levendal said he was aware of the stress caused to businesses operating from the Goods Shed as the lease agreement for a further term was not finalised. However, he had good news to share as he was informed that the lease was approved at Port level.
Once the new lease was approved at the Transnet Group Property Committee, business owners will be informed.
The Speaker, Alderman Petru Terblanche described the news as excellent for Mossel Bay.
"The Goods Shed and the traders are an asset for the town and contribute a great deal to tourism in the town and region and to the local economic development and small business development that the municipality supports."
Alderman Terblanche said the decision was a further example of the good relations and mutual respect that is fostered between the Mossel Bay Municipality and the management of the Port of Mossel Bay and the TNPA.
Questions from ANC Chief Whip
Mayor Levendal acknowledged a list of questions received from the Chief Whip of the ANC, Councillor Peter Lechaba. The mayor indicated that the questions would be answered in full, in writing and in due time as the matters raised are being investigated before a thorough response could be furnished.
A caucus was called for by the ANC, whereafter Councillor Lechaba insisted that the ANC expected to receive the answers to the questions at the council meeting.
The ANC caucus then chose to leave the council meeting, making it clear, however, that its conduct should not be construed as a walkout.
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