MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay’s executive mayor, Dirk Kotzé, delivered his State of the Municipality Address during an open municipal council meeting on Thursday 26 February.
His speech highlighted the challenges Mossel Bay has faced in just the first two months of 2026, most notably the vegetation fires during the first week of January, as well as the ongoing water restrictions, drought conditions and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the area.
Following the recent declaration of FMD as a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kotzé announced that R60 000 from the Mayoral Fund would be allocated to local farmers in an effort to offer support and curb the further spread of the disease.
He explained that roadblocks have been implemented and FMD vaccinations have been made available and administered to the animals on the affected farms, as well as the free-roaming animals in areas such as Brandwag, Sonskynvallei, KwaNonqaba and Power Town.
Informal farms in areas such as Freimersheim, Great Brak River and Herbertsdale are hoping to receive their vaccinations soon.
Regarding the ongoing water restrictions, which were first implemented on 12 January, Kotzé assured everyone that alternative water sources, such as the municipality’s desalination plant, are in place.
However, despite the recent rain Mossel Bay has experienced, “we are not out of the woods yet,” said Kotzé.
Some positives were also focused on, including a boost to the local economy.
As a result of the Ironman 70.3 hosted in Mossel Bay last year, R54m was injected back into Mossel Bay.
The annual MossJazz music festival, Matriekbaai and other international events that were hosted in Mossel Bay during 2025 have also significantly contributed to the town’s economy.
“Our town has basically been full since the beginning of November last year,” said Kotzé.
He added that job creation in Mossel Bay is continuing, particularly with the development of new businesses, including the Garden Walk Mall, which is expected to open its doors by next month.
Kotzé went on to thank the various emergency services and organisations in the Mossel Bay community for their quick response and support during the time of the fires.
“Mossel Bay’s greatest achievement in 2026 thus far has not been infrastructure, policy or development, but rather unity,” he said. “The town has proven it is prepared, community-minded and resilient. And that is why Mossel Bay has remained ‘iconic’.”
Kotzé’s full speech can be watched online on the Mossel Bay Municipality’s Facebook page or YouTube channel.
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