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GEORGE NEWS - The inauguration of the Garden Route District Council's new councillors was a festive occasion held at the George Civic Centre last Thursday. A total of 35 councillors represent their respective B-municipalities on the GRDM Council.
Two Icosa councillors of Kannaland, Hyrin Ruiters (directly elected) and Kaynal Adams (seconded), couldn't attend the proceedings in person. It has come to light that their municipality received a visit from the Hawks on the very same day (read the story elsewhere in the paper).
The election of the mayor, deputy mayor and speaker continued with the 33 councillors present. Memory Booysen of the DA was elected as district mayor for a second five-year term. He received 18 votes against the opposition's mayoral nominee, Virgill Gericke, who secured 15 votes.
Speaker Georlene Wolmarans, Mayor Memory Booysen and Deputy Mayor Gert van Niekerk. Photos: Michelle Pienaar
Georlene Wolmarans, a former mayor and speaker of Knysna, was elected as speaker. Wolmarans served as a DA councillor on the district council for two years in the last term. Of the 33 votes cast, Wolmarans received 18 votes and Chris Taute of the ANC 15.
Gert van Niekerk of the Freedom Front Plus was elected as deputy mayor. He received a surprising number of 19 votes, and the opposition's nominee, Richard Hector, secured 14 votes. The secret votes made attendees wonder who from the opposition had supported Van Niekerk. Chief whip of council is Petru Terblanche of Mossel Bay.
Photo gallery: District council's new faces
DA constituency head of the Garden Route Tertuis Simmers attended the event. Mayor Booysen's wife, Elethu Booysen, his sister Laetitia Zembetha and his 86-year-old mother Iris Booysen were special guests at the inauguration. In his acceptance speech, Booysen paid tribute to his mother and his "adoptive parents", Wyn and Liz Mundell, whom he met in 1995.
The Mundells provided Booysen with political and spiritual guidance.
Municipal Manager Monde Stratu presents Memory Booysen with the mayoral chain.
GRDM Council
DA 16: Memory Booysen, Georlene Wolmarans, Jobieth Hoogbaard, Jacobus Meiring, Petru Terblanche, Coenraad Swart, Koos Malooi, Betsie van Noordwyk, Jerome Lambaatjeen, Rosina Ruiters, Anco Barker, Marulyn Kannemeyer, Nompulelo Ndayi, Hilton Stroebel, Iona Kritzinger and Daniel Cronjé.
ANC 11: Stephen de Vries, Clodia Lochaba, Viniola Gungubele, Christopher Taute, Sharon van Rooyen, Joey Canary, Mzwandile Mkonto, Nokuthula Seti, Aubrey Tswenga, Simphiwe Toto and Thando Matika.
- FF Plus 2: Danie Acker, Gert van Niekerk.
- Good 2: Clive Scheepers, Richard Hector.
- PBI 2: Mercia Draghoender, Virgill Gericke.
- Icosa 2: Kaynal Adams, Hyran Ruiters.
Memory Booysen's mom, Iris Booysen (86), and his sister, Laetitia Zembetha, attended the inauguration as special guests.
Booysen lit a candle for the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.
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