Cllr Deon De Vos Elected as New Executive Mayor

The Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) Council elected, Cllr Deon De Vos as the new Exective Mayor of the district during a Special Council meeting held today at the SBDM Council Chambers. This was the first meeting of Council since the passing of the late Executive Mayor, Cllr Mzimkhulu Njadayi. During the acceptance speech made by Executive Mayor De Vos, he reiterated the priorities of the late Executive Mayor and pledged to continue with the same plans which were aimed at improving the lives of the communities of the district. The Executive Mayor, Deon De Vos, outlined his plan for the district after being elected with a total of 16 votes, against Cllr Karen Smith (DA) who received 14 votes. Some of the priorities outlined by the Executive Mayor included a more intense focus from the district in supporting local municipalities and an urgency in moving the SBDM offices to Addo. Executive Mayor De Vos comes from Willowmore and was previously the Speaker of Council at SBDM and the Mayor of Dr. Beyers Naude Municipality. He is also currently the Acting President of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). He is a seasoned politician and is fully capable and dedicated in leading the Sarah Baartman District to great heights. During the meeting Cllr Katie Hendricks was sworn in as the new representative to the SBDM Council from Dr. Beyers Naude Municipality, replacing the vacancy left by Executive Mayor De Vos who served as representation from the local municipality. The Executive Mayor announced that he would be leading the Special Programmes portfolio himself. Therefore only 4 Mayoral Committee Members were announced as follows: Cllr Solethu Lucas - Corporate Services Cllr Charlene Booysen - Finance Cllr Phindile Faxi - Infrastructure Development and Community Services Cllr Zoliswa Funiselo - Planning and Economic Development (Below) Front from left to right: Mr Ted Pillay, Municipal Manager; Cllr Nomhle Gaga, Speaker of Council; Cllr Deon De Vos, Executive Mayor