Update
GEORGE NEWS - The portfolio councillor for civil engineering services, Browen Johnson, was elected as the new deputy mayor of George at a special council meeting this morning.
In addition to Johnson (DA), three other candidates were nominated, namely the ANC's Clr Simphiwe Toto, PBI's Clr Morton Gericke and Good's Clr Chantelle Kyd. Toto and Gericke declined their nominations and the election was between Johnson and Kyd.
Johnson collected 35 votes and Kyd 20.
The position of deputy mayor became available following the resignation of the former deputy mayor, Raybin Figland (DA), effective from 31 January.
A half-hour caucus requested by the DA kicked off this morning's meeting. Another caucus of 15 minutes was allowed by speaker Sean Snyman upon a request by the ANC just as it was time to nominate candidates.
After receiving his mayoral chain, Johnson told George Herald he felt hugely honoured.
"The chair does not go to one individual, but to the community of George. I have always gone out of my way to serve the community and this position will enhance my efforts. I am very happy and proud. It is only by the grace of God that I am here."
Johnson worked as a radiographer from 2008 to 2021 before he entered the political arena.
He said it was while he was chairperson of the Groeneweide Park neighbourhood watch and a member of the ward committee, which he joined in 2018, that he realised how local governance worked and that it offered a great opportunity to serve the community. He became a member of the DA in 2019.
He was born in Swellendam but moved to George with his family in 2011. Johnson's wife, Lucille, a physiotherapist, attended the election.
"I am very excited. It is a wonderful opportunity for Browen to serve the community," Lucille said. "It is really his passion, although it is not always easy. It requires a lot of dedication and takes up a lot of time, but this is what he wants to do and I support him."
The couple have three children, Calum (11), Ava-Mae (9) and Levi (2).
Browen and his proud wife, Lucille. Photo: Alida de Beer
ANC chief whip Faith Ndaka said Johnson should not let the position or his party change the person that he is. "The people of George are looking up to you as you are now."
Freedom Front Plus Clr Gert van Niekerk said, "The seat of deputy mayor belongs to the people of George and not the DA. The FF Plus trusts that the moral values associated with this seat will be respected by the DA this time. It is disappointing that after two years, the DA has still not condemned the behaviour of their previous deputy mayor."
He was referring to Figland who had resigned early in December shortly before a motion of no confidence by Good was to be served before council, through which his removal was to be voted on. It pertained to a sexting matter with a 19-year-old matriculant.
In a statement issued after the election, Good said it calls on the DA "not to repeat the mistakes of the past". It called the election of Johnson an "unsurprising development as the DA has a majority in the council". "As Good, we call on Johnson and the DA to put the people of George first and to prioritise service delivery. Personal misconduct cannot be allowed to overshadow the work that needs to be done to improve the lives of the people in George."
Read a previous article:
Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland resigns
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