MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In a strong message at the opening of the first council meeting for 2019, the executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Harry Levendal, rebuked members of the community for incidents of xenophobia in Mossel Bay in recent weeks.
"The Council of 2005 adopted a resolution against xenophobia as instructed by the then national government, indicating that the municipality and its people will never enhance or contribute to acts of xenophobia.
"Rather, all people will be accepted to be a part of the greater Mossel Bay area. That by-law has never been rescinded.
"The people of Mossel Bay, especially those living in impoverished areas, have always opened their homes and hearts to all people.
"Recently I listened as an elderly lady spoke on behalf of the elderly in her ward. I saw bitterness in her eyes. I heard sorrow - and hatred - in her voice. "She spoke of how proud she and others were to have been born and bred in Mossel Bay, how they respect the areas where they live and the homes they have made for themselves.
"But, she said, they can no longer stand the disrespectful behaviour of people towards them, nor the way they are being treated by others.
"As the elderly, they decided to reclaim what was theirs: the streets, the privacy of their homes and their family."
Alderman Levendal said this woman's stance was indicative of a broader mood in the community.
"Mossel Bay has spoken, and I believe, remembering the words of that old lady, that the resolution of 2005 and the other remedies that are in place can in no way protect anyone when the people born and bred in Mossel Bay decide to strike.
"Locals have opened their homes and hearts. Not always has this generosity been returned - instead they have never received respect in turn. They feel Mossel Bay is broken."
Alderman Levendal told council that it should be mindful of the fact that more unrest may stem from the recent unhappiness.
"Mossel Bay has spoken," Alderman Levendal said.
The mayor tasked councillors Fortuin, Dellemijn andBooisen, as well as his office manager, Peter Juthe, to arrange a prayer day for Mossel Bay as soon as possible. "Only God can heal us. Let us invite Him into Mossel Bay anew."
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