New council ready to roll

Gallery

GEORGE NEWS - After close to a year of uncertainty surrounding the local government elections, the new municipal council of George is ready to roll.

The newly elected council had its inaugural meeting in the George city hall on Monday 22 November, three weeks after the local government elections on 1 November.

The process was wrought with challenges and uncertainty. For months it was uncertain whether the local government elections would even be held this year.

When that was settled, there was a month of intense campaigning. And after the election results came in, no political party had won an outright majority. This was followed by intense behind-the-scenes negotiations as parties tried to form a new coalition government.

Photo gallery: Council meeting on Monday 22 November

The council meeting had to be postponed more than once. The meeting was planned for Monday at 10:00 - but on the day, a new factor came into play: severe storms and flooding, which put the holding of the meeting in jeopardy. Eventually it was postponed till 12:00.

Shortly before the start of the meeting, the DA, Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and ACDP signed an agreement that paved the way for a coalition government.

The meeting got underway just after 12:00 with the majority of the councillors present.

Acting Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz presided over the meeting as the new councillors hadn't been sworn in and there was as yet no speaker.

A jovial mood prevailed as councillors were called to the front in alphabetical order to swear the oath of councillors. This changed however when the elections for the top four positions took place.

The speaker was elected first. Sean Snyman of the DA got 31 votes and Donovan Saptoe of the Good Party 22. There were two spoilt votes. Snyman was elected thanks to the support of the DA, the FF Plus and the ACDP. Then it was time for Snyman to take charge of the meeting in his new position.

Gert Niehaus (FF Plus) and Brendon Adams (DA)

Nominations were called for the mayoral position. Leon van Wyk of the DA got 31 votes and Virgill Gericke of the PBI 24. A short while later Raybin Figland of the DA was elected deputy mayor, having received 30 votes as opposed to Faith Mdaka of the ANC's 22. There were three spoilt ballot papers. This elicited some whispered speculation, as the three coalition partners' support should have handed Figland 31 votes.

The last of the top four positions was that of chief whip. Marlene Barnardt, no stranger to the job, received 31 votes and Cedric Smart of the PA 22 votes.

It became clear at the meeting that the DA, FF Plus and ACDP will work together while the majority of the opposition parties - the ANC, Good, the PBI and the PA - are joining hands.

It is expected that Van Wyk will announce his mayoral committee tomorrow, Friday 27 November.

Simphiwe Toto of the ANC