Armed with a shovel, broom and wheelbarrow, Swart got his hands dirty by getting the job done himself.
Newly elected Bitou mayor Dave Swart (in blue) jumping in to fix a section of Odlands Drive in Plettenberg Bay.
Only a few days after stepping into their roles in the newly appointed Bitou Council, two council leaders were afforded the opportunity to prove that they could deliver on their promise to serve the community – and came through with flying colours.
On Saturday 20 November, residents raised concerns over a ditch made to repair water pipes, that had opened up on Odlands Street.
Not only did it pose a danger to motorists, but the gravel was strewn across the busy road.
The ditch had been filled with gravel but not resurfaced.
But soon after residents raised their concern they were surprised to find the newly elected mayor, Dave Swart himself, appear in the middle of the road.
Armed with a shovel, broom and wheelbarrow, Swart got his hands dirty by getting the job done himself.
Residents who approached Swart to praise him for his efforts reported that Swart was humble and did not seek attention.
Newly elected Bitou mayor Dave Swart (in blue) jumping in to fix a section of Odlands Drive in Plettenberg Bay.
On the same day newly elected speaker Claude Terblanche, who is a cricket enthusiast, spent the day among his fellow cricketers and club members at the New Horizons sports field in Plettenberg Bay during a match between bowlers and batsmen of the Plettenberg Bay Pioneers Cricket Club in preparation for the cricket season. He showed his mettle by effecting a run-out.
Terblanche became a member of the cricket club in 2015 and is a medium pace bowler in the senior side. In 2017, the club was promoted to the Premier League in SWD the same year the club celebrated its 10th anniversary. In 2016 the club won the title in the local league. Terblanche was crowned best bowler for two successive years, 2017 and 2018.
As member of the club, Terblanche is responsible for match day pitch preparations, logistics and representing the club on the Bitou Sports Council. He also helped as assistant coach.
These duties and involvement at the cricket club will now have to take a back seat given the demanding responsibilities as ward councillor, speaker, chair of the soon-to-be-elected ward committee for Ward 4 and chair of Plett Democratic Congress (PDC).
Terblanche was born and bred in Plett and is rooted in the community of New Horizons, where he has been involved in cricket and soccer for many years as an active player and coach.
Off the pitch he is also deeply involved in programmes and campaigns to uplift the poor, destitute and disadvantaged residents of New Horizons.
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