Bitou Social Development Forum Initiative for Change

Janet Harding, the forum’s coordinator

Bitou Municipality is pioneering a groundbreaking initiative with the establishment of the Bitou Social Development Forum.

The primary objective of this forum is to pinpoint and address various social challenges prevalent in communities within the municipality.

Janet Harding, the forum’s coordinator, emphasized that it evolved from the Department of Social Development LDAC program to its present form. This forum operates as a public-private partnership dedicated to identifying and resolving social issues in Bitou communities.

Initially, these challenges were categorized into subcommittees: children on the street, drug and substance addiction, gender-based violence, early childhood development, and health and welfare. The forum’s inaugural project involves identifying stakeholders within local communities and raising awareness about pertinent issues. A comprehensive handbook detailing these stakeholders is currently in development and will soon be distributed in and around Plettenberg Bay.

Harding encouraged those unfamiliar with the forum to contact its members or the mayor’s office at Bitou Municipality for information on joining. She stressed the importance of diverse representation within the forum, welcoming input from all sectors. Membership incurs no financial obligations. The forum is in the process of formal registration as a non-profit organization, adhering to legal and administrative regulations.

This pioneering effort lacks a predefined blueprint, but Harding affirmed the significance of collaboration in gaining the trust of Bitou residents, both now and in the future. She emphasized that meaningful communication and understanding have the potential to achieve remarkable outcomes.

The forum’s next general meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 4th. Once the subcommittees are operational, they will address specific areas of concern, define current issues, propose actionable solutions, implement these strategies, and monitor their effectiveness. This structured approach aims to transform ideas into impactful actions, fostering positive change in the Bitou communities.

Source: Plett News