Oudtshoorn, 18 November 2024 – The Executive Mayor of the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality, Alderman Johan Allers, has marked his first 100 days in office focusing on improving governance, enhancing service delivery, and fostering community engagement. Mayor Allers said, “From 01 August to 08 November 2024, in collaboration with the Governance of Local Unity (GLU), Speaker Suzane Jansen, and Deputy Mayor Mziwoxolo Tyatya, we have worked tirelessly to build strong relationships with stakeholders, staff, and residents.”
“I am honored to serve the community of the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality in my capacity as Executive Mayor,” said Mayor Allers. “In this period, I have engaged with directors, staff, stakeholders, and community members to gain valuable insights and build partnerships for the future.”
Key Achievements:
- Building Accountability and Financial Responsibility
Mayor Allers highlighted financial sustainability as a key focus, “working closely with the CFO and acting Municipal Manager to ensure efficient spending.” “Good Governance and accountability are my main priority. We have worked to improve financial sustainability through strict expense monitoring and cost-saving initiatives, including transitioning to electronic billing, streamlining media expenses, and managing travel costs,” he stated. “These actions, such as downsizing one media position in my office and reducing fuel consumption, are expected to positively impact the municipality’s mid-year assessment and the February 2025 budget.”
“The implementation of the refuse count has been postponed for the current financial year. A new tariff structure will be developed and prioritized for implementation in the next financial year.”
- Improved Service Delivery
Mayor Allers reflected on service delivery: “In our commitment to core services, we have strengthened operational efficiency across departments.” He noted improvements in community services, “such as enhanced traffic management, better law enforcement, and the successful hosting of major events like the Meiringspoort Marathon and the SA Cycling Championships. Public swimming pools are also ready for the summer season, and eight new General Assistants have been appointed to Parks & Recreation.” - Infrastructure and Development
Infrastructure improvements are a priority for Mayor Allers, who emphasized the municipality’s commitment to maintaining essential services. “We have scheduled pothole repairs across several areas every Friday, and our teams are addressing pipe bursts throughout the week,” he explained. “Key projects include replacing old electricity cables, retrofitting streetlights, and enhancing stormwater systems, all of which aim to improve infrastructure and support community growth.” “The streetlight project is already 80% complete,” he added. - Housing and Community Projects
Meeting the housing needs of the community remains a top priority. “In collaboration with various stakeholders, the municipality has launched the Bongolethu Mudhouse Project, which will rebuild 25 mud homes, providing much-needed quality housing for residents,” Mayor Allers stated. “Additionally, the municipality is advancing the Asla housing project in Dysselsdorp, with 39 serviced plots and 24 new homes under development. Significant progress has also been made in resolving sanitation issues in Dysselsdorp in partnership with BIDVEST.” - Social and Community Engagement
Mayor Allers said he is proud of the Mayor’s office’s engagement with the community, “especially despite the challenge of not receiving a Mayoral budget.” “I am proud to share the efforts and successes of my office in engaging with the community,” he said. “Highlights include hosting Miss SA at the Cango Caves, visiting local schools to encourage matriculants, and participating in various awareness campaigns, such as breast cancer walks.” The Mayor also highlighted the engagement of over 1,500 Grade 7 students who visited key tourism attractions as part of a youth empowerment initiative. - Strategic Initiatives and Future Plans
Looking ahead, the Mayor is focused on long-term development. “The foundation has been laid for several strategic initiatives aimed at community development,” he said. “These include the formation of a Youth Council, which has already hosted a Youth Summit and Career Expo, as well as plans to upgrade the De Jager Sports Complex and N.A. Smit swimming pool. The municipality is also pursuing new tourism initiatives and enhancing communication with local stakeholders.”
Looking Ahead:
Despite the progress made, Mayor Allers acknowledged that challenges remain. “We are committed to addressing unregulated tourism activities, ensuring fair licensing for spaza shops and informal businesses, and investing in critical infrastructure like water, electricity, and roads,” he stated. “The municipality is also conducting audits of RDP housing and indigent households to ensure fair resource allocation.”
“We are focused on stabilizing the municipality, strengthening governance, and promoting economic growth,” said Mayor Allers. “I am deeply grateful to the residents for their warm welcome, as well as to my colleagues, municipal officials, and community partners for their relentless dedication to serving the Greater Oudtshoorn community.”
Mayor Allers encouraged residents to use the Collab Citizen App for easy communication and reminded organizations to apply for the GRANT-IN-AID 2025/26 between 25 October and 06 December 2024.
“I look forward to continuing our work to build a stronger, more sustainable community,” Mayor Allers concluded.