“It is with pride that I welcome you all to one part of our extensive public participation process in this splendid part of our Cape Winelands District,” stated Executive Mayor Elna von Schlicht during her opening address at the second of two public engagements held on Monday, 18 March 2024 in Drakenstein. “The Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) recognises the value that collaboration and partnership contribute to economic growth and sustainable development. Success is so much more likely when there is partnership,” Mayor Von Schlicht encouraged.
During these engagements, the mayor outlined several achievements of the CWDM over the last financial year, including being awarded a 10th clean audit and ranked first in the Governance Performance Index.
The first of two engagements was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024 in Robertson. The discussion panel for the first engagement, , consisted of Mr Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape, Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, Executive Mayor of the CWDM, as well as Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, Nigel Jacobs, CEO of local SMME Jacobs Jam, and Attie Butler of Ignite Advisors.
The MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Minister Anton Bredell, joined the second session as the keynote speaker. Referring to the many areas where success had been achieved, the Minister stated that “success breeds partnerships, people want to be part of success! When we show successful projects, it reassures investors that their investment will be safe.” He specifically mentioned the CWDM/Santam partnership that resulted, among other programmes, in the distribution and installation of thousands of smoke detectors in informal homes. “To date, not one life has been lost due to fire in a home that has a smoke detector,” said the MEC.
Joining the Minister and the Mayor on the second panel were Sibylle Pfeiffer, Portfolio Manager, District Unit of Wesgro, Mr Neptal Khoza, Head of Market Development at Santam’s CSI Unit, Mr Enrico Cupido, MD of EJC Consulting.
At both engagements, invaluable insights and perspectives were shared and lively discussions ensued during the Q&A sessions, including topics such development, road improvements and future projects.
Engagements such as these are vital as the municipality strives to encourage, drive and enhance collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders. It is through public participation, partnerships and innovation that economic growth can be cultivated.
