Building a strong community spirit is part of new Bitou Deputy
JESSICA Kamkam took office as deputy mayor of Bitou on May 23 during a council meeting that confirmed the local working coalition of the Active United Front (AUF) with the Democratic Alliance (DA), following the termination of the previous AUF/ ANC arrangement.
Kamkam is the councillor for Bitou’s Ward 1, which covers an area of 557km2 with a population of 6,300 people. It extends from Nature’s Valley to Keurboom-strand and includes The Crags, about 20km north-east of the town of Plett, where she was born and brought up.
After working for a number of organisations involved with development and outreach programmes in and around Plett, Kamkam began working in the office of Bitou’s municipal speaker in September 2013.
From this time onwards, she became more politically aware and resolved to help the people of Bitou. On the advice and encouragement of Annelise Olivier, Bitou speaker from 2011 to 2016 (and recently reappointed to this post), Kamkam stood as a DA candidate in the municipal elections of 2016 and won with a very healthy majority.
“I had to convince myself to become involved in politics,” says Kamkam. “Ultimately, it was a combination of my roots in the local community, having empathy with the people around me, and to provide leadership – we need good leaders who have principles and who listen.”
She enthuses: “I want to facilitate building strong community spirit, drive projects that develop life skills, form partnerships with NGOs, and stimulate the local economy by way of the tourist potential of the area.”
Kamkam sees it as a great honour to have been asked to serve as deputy mayor of Bitou, and adds: “If you are asked to serve, you simply have to!”
Working out of a small office in Kurland Village community hall in The Crags, she travels to Bitou’s municipal offices when required.
Jessica Kamkam is a down to earth person with a jovial and warm personality, and she is eminently approachable; away from the pressures of office she finds solace with her family of husband Jonathan and three children: Justine, Jerush-ah and Jotham.
She enjoys spending quality time hiking, running, and appreciating the arts and handcrafts.
Bitou Municipality has a deputy mayor who is determined to serve and to succeed.
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