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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - DA Councillor Barnie Groenewald has been elected as speaker of the Garden Route District Municipality at a council meeting this morning. 

Groenewald has been acting in the position since the last council meeting. 

In an unusual turn of events, both the ruling DA party and the opposition, of which the ANC takes the majority seats, have both placed their trust in Groenewald as their nominee. 

Mayor Memory Booysen commented by saying it is very unusual that both sides of the house agree during the nomination of a speaker. 

Groenewald was visibly moved and said in his first address to council as speaker that he is truly humbled. 

''I would like to thank you for the opportunity. I will serve you diligently and stay humble,'' he said. ''My objective is to make you all happy councillors, and assist you where I can. Before you say, think or do something, ask yourself is this true, is it fair and is it beneficial for all.''

Watch a video below:

Both the ruling DA party and the opposition have placed their trust in Groenewald as their nominee. 

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