Plett Municipal Newsletter – September 2014
FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
September 2014 – Volume 1 Issue 3
Municipal Newsletter
It is my duty as the executive Mayor of Bitou to lead the Municipality towards a financial sustainability and to ensure that the protection of the scarce financial and other resources at our disposal, but also to ensure that the quality of life in our area is improved through sustainable delivery of quality services to all our communities.
Various articles were published recently in our local newspapers and social media regarding the events in the late June 2014 of the council being unstable, I would like to take this opportunity and emphasize that Bitou Council is commit-ted in ensuring that our communities are constantly uplifted and the services provided to them are continuously improving. Bitou has been recorded as the 4th growing town (population growth) in the country. This escalating evolution is placing a huge strain on infrastructure, housing needs and disposable revenue remains under strain highlighting the need for affordable service delivery.
We have been able to provide funding for the upgrading and maintenance of roads, pump stations and underground services etc. I am pleased to inform you that Lookout beach is rapidly returning to its former glory, and we aiming for the flag status again.
Lastly I would like to encourage everyone to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions that makes up the nation of South Africa.
Once again I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone for the positive criticism and support I am receiving on daily basis.
Happy Heritage Month!
Bitou in partnership with Nedbank sponsors Murray High prize giving.
The annual Murray High School prize giving took place on Friday, September 12, 2014, at the school hall in Plettenberg Bay. The gala event was sponsored by Bitou Municipality and Nedbank, awarding certificates to top learners who excelled in their academic-and sport activities.
Mr. Botha, Principal of Murray High School, , boasted the quality of teaching at Murray High School and thanked teachers for their dedication to-wards empowering children through education. “You, as learners, should feel privileged to be in a calibre school like Murray High School, which provides top-class education”, Botha said.
The Bitou Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen, attended the event and offered a few words of encouragement to teachers, students and parents. Cllr Booysen commended everyone involved for their collective effort to have accomplished such outstanding results. “I encourage matriculants to apply for the Mayoral Bursary provided by Bitou Municipality, it is meant for people like you who aim to become successful and independent”, Cllr Booysen reiterated during his address.
Roadshow On minimization Of Waste In Bitou
Bitou Municipality in partnership with 6 local municipalities in the Eden district, launched a Waste Management Roadshow on September 1, 2014 at Piesang Valley Community Hall, Plettenberg bay. The purpose of the roadshow was to educate the public of measures in place for households to manage their waste and local economic development opportunities in the industry.
Various schools attended the roadshow, and a few learners had the opportunity to showcase their creativity by participating in a fashion show, with clothing designed out of recyclable material.
Happy 104th Birthday to Elizabeth “Ouma Bet”
Bitou Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen wished Ouma Bet more happier days in her long fruitful life as the most senior resident of Plettenberg Bay.
Ouma Bet turned 104 years old on the 10 September 2014.
On the day she was showered with love and adored by all. Family and friends celebrated this joyous occasion with her. All those present wished her a happy birthday and the children showed their delight by doing a traditional Griekwa song and dance for their great grand mother. An evident smile on her face showed that “Ouma Bet” was thankful and enjoyed all the attention.
Ouma Bet has 11 children of whom 8 are still alive, 50 grandchildren, 80 great grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren.
“Ouma Bet, May God grant you your heart’s desire and may you have a long and healthy life, thank you for inviting and welcoming us into your home” – Mayor Booysen.
Bitou Apologizes For Inconvenience During Routine Road Maintenance
Bitou Local Municipality would like to apologise to all our visitors and road users alike. for any inconvenience caused during the road maintenance routine on the N2 route passing through Plettenberg Bay.
This project started on the 1 July 2014 and will continue until 30 April 2015. The area which will be covered during this time stretches from Harkerville to Kurland.
Please be careful on the roads during this time and adhere to speed limits.
Please feel free to contact the following offices for further information:
Bitou local Traffic Department
Tel:044 501 3240
Or
Ezekiel Mokiri
Site Agent for Road Mac Surfacing Cape
Tel: +27 21 905 0170
Cell: +27 83 655 9614
Email: ezekiel@road-mac.co.za
Fleet Management for Bitou Local Municipality
The Executive Mayor Cllr Memory Booysen and the Municipal Manager Mr. Allen Paulse handed over 21 vehicles and a tractor to their respective heads. These vehicles have been acquired through a competitive bidding process as per the prescribed Bitou Supply Chain Procedures.
All the vehicles underwent branding and installations of tracking devices, which means that it will be easily identifiable to the general public. The fleet manager will be able to monitor the whereabouts of his fleet via real time tracking. An e-fueling management system, has also been fitted in order to manage and control the fuel usage.
The fleet of new vehicles will be used in various departments of the Municipality and will enable the municipality to overcome shortage of transport which has been hindering speedy service delivery for Bitou Communities.
Bitou Gender Desk prayer hosts a prayer service for women suffering with Chronic Diseases.
“Prayer heals”, More than 100 women gather and pray for people with chronic diseases at the KwaNokuthula hall, Plettenberg Bay, on August 21.
The service was organized by Bitou Local Aids Council (BLAC) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) to specifically raise awareness of the epidemic currently facing women and children in the district. Diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/Aids, were on the list of prayers to be answered by the attendees. Sister Robby encouraged women to share the burden and give support to those who are affected and infected by these illnesses. “Take your treatment often, you are not alone , we as the DOH will always try to assist and support where we can”, she said.
“The DOH is trying to be helpful in ways of managing stress levels of those living with chronic illnesses” sister Robby said.
Cllr Paulse, Bitou Municipality, motivated the women to face their challenges, to make use of plat-forms presented to them and to keep on praying until they receive answers from God “ Place your faith in God, who is the sovereign over all governments, authorities and communities”. emphasized Cllr Paulse.
Grants-in-Aid: Call for Local Proposals
Organization and/or bodies who qualify for financial assistance in terms of the Bitou Local Municipality Grants-in-aid policy. Are hereby invited to submit proposals for their programs.
Only applications submitted on the prescribed application form and accompanied by all the required documentation received by the Office of the Mayor by Tuesday, 13:00 on 30 September 2014 shall be considered.
Bitou Commemorated Women’s day
Women in Bitou as the part of women’s day celebrations organized a peaceful march to make their voice heard . With in the theme of 20 years of democracy being “ inspiring change”, the march started at Phakamisani Primary School and ended at a child headed house.
The household was identified by the department of Social Development as an inspiration to many as this house hold is headed by the still at school twin sisters Silindokuhle and Siphetokuhle Kota.
The Municipality and other relevant stake holders worked together and donated blankets, groceries and other needy material.
The gender officer of Bitou Municipality Mrs. Sylvia Mtshamba said “women’s day indeed is an important time for us to recognize the contribution of Women’s living in South Africa past and present” this day is also an opportunity to reflect on the work that still need to be done in order to build Bitou Municipality for the next gen-eration of Women and Girls”. She further emphasis that this not the last time, the Municipal Gender office will work closely with Social workers in identifying child headed home. The Kota family received food parcels from the Bitou Gender officer Mrs. S Mtshamba.
Griqua Monument to be a Heritage site
Cllr Memory Booysen met with the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Dr. N Mbombo and the members of the Griqua Community in Plettenberg Bay to discuss issues around recognition of heritage sites in Bitou.
It was decided the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport will investigate how under the National Resources Heritage act of 1999, the Kranshoek Monument which is central to the Griqua culture can be registered as a heritage site.
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