Dear Residents and Stakeholders
Allow me to wish all women a very happy Women’s Month. This year National Women’s Day and Women’s Month is celebrated under the theme: “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience.” The theme is a call to action to all of society, government and partners to take tangible steps forward in responding to the most persistent challenges affecting the lives of women. There will be various events happening across the district, I encourage women to participate in these events and gain more knowledge and understanding about what government is doing for women. Last week the Sarah Baartman District Women’s Caucus had their first meeting after the establishment and induction of the caucus on 07 July 2022. From the first meeting a program of action was developed which includes a Women’s Month event which will be held in Riebeeck East on 18 August 2022. The event will focus on economic opportunities for women.
During our 06 July 2022 council meeting, the council officially bid farewell to Mr. Ted Pillay who served the district as the municipal manager for 20 years. He was the longest serving municipal manager in the country and as such the council decided to honour him for the years of dedicated services. On 18 July 2022, we commemorated Mandela Day in Graaff-Reinet. The project was focused on revitalising the public toilets in town. When I visited the public toilets for the first time I discovered that there were people living in these toilets, we have requested the Department of Social Development to assist them whilst Dr Beyers Naudè Municipality has provided a temporary shelter for them. I also need to request the community of Graaff-Reinet to take care of these facilities, vandalism of public property impacts everyone especially those who need to use the facilities. The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), Ms. Thoko Didiza, and her Deputy Ministers, Mr. Mcebisi Skwatsha and Ms. Rosemary Nokuzola Capa , as well as the MEC for the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nonkqubela Pieters, were in Hankey on 19 July 2022 to officially handover the title deed for Threepence farm to the Katoo Family Trust. The farm is a post-settlement project implemented by the DALRRD as part of the Restitution of Land Rights Programme. The event also included the harvesting of citrus which the farm produces for local and export markets. The Sarah Baartman District Health Council (SBDHC) was established on 21 July 2022 at the SBDM Council Chambers. The SBDHC will ensure coordination of planning, budgeting, provision and monitoring of all health services within the district and also advise the MEC of Health via the Provincial Health Council. The chairperson of the SBDHC is Cllr Phindile Faxi, who is also the district municipality representative. Representatives from the seven local municipalities include Cllr Khunjuzwa Kekana from Dr Beyers Naudè Municipality; Cllr Karen Smith from Sundays River Valley Municipality; Cllr Ronwell Fillis from Koukamma Municipality; Cllr Thanduxolo Vayo from Makana Municipality; Cllr Nokuthula Memani from Ndlambe Municipality; Cllr Jonathan Martin from Blue Crane Route Municipality and Cllr Daniel Benson from Kouga Municipality. In terms of Tourism, the district attended the media launch for the SA PGA Championship which will be held at the St. Francis Links from 3– 6 November this year. This will be the second year the event is being held at the Links and it is not only a boost for our tourism sector but also an incredible sporting occasion for those who play golf. I want to encourage community members and stakeholders to read through the newly published SBDM Fire bylaw and Environmental Health bylaw. These bylaws are applicable throughout the district and contain important information regarding what is permitted in terms of fire and environmental health. The bylaws are available on our website www.sarahbaartman.co.za and at libraries across the district. Lastly I want to condemn the brutal rape of eight women in Krugersdorp. The rape, abuse and murder of any woman is something all of society must stand against.
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