Local business owners in Kleinmond met Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee as part of his ‘meet and greet’ walk-about recently.
During these visits, the business community has an opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor about their thoughts and any concerns they want to bring to his attention.
The Mayor was accompanied by the Area Manager for the Hangklip-Kleinmond Administration Desmond Lakey, Ward 9 Councillor Grant Cohen, Ward 10 Councillor Fanie Krige and Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd. The first stop for the day was around the corner from the municipality’s offices at Die Bloubakkie.
The ladies at Kleinmond Apteek/Pharmacy expressed their concern about the growing demand for land for informal settlements and the ever increasing break-ins.
One of the concerns for the personnel at Albertyn Pharmacy was the homeless people sleeping in the parking area at the Spar Centre as well as the refuse removal that seems to be delayed every week.
Black bags are torn open and it does not take long for the wind to blow the litter around town.
The Mayor’s walk-about continued with a visit to Kleinmond SuperSpar. He expressed his appreciation for the Spar Group’s commitment to phasing out plastic bags and using paper bags instead.
Corinne de Haas of The Potter’s Gallery took the Mayor on a tour of their workshop and introduced him to the staff. In the same area he also had a fruitful discussion with Mike Niemand from Harbour Corner.
Mayor Coetzee stopped in Proteadorp to meet with Charles and Louisa Swartz of Oceans Fisheries and hear about their challenges.
ST Motors expressed their concern with the beautification of the Western side of the town, the transfer station that had been damaged, cleaning of vacant erven and the supervision (or lack thereof) of municipal workers as well as the Palmiet river and possible pollution.
The walk-about ended at the Kleinmond Golf Club where the Mayor met the President of Kleinmond Golf Club, Mr Eagar, and Club Captain Bill Steyn, who shared genuine concerns, but also considered the feasible solutions offered by the two gentlemen. The day ended on a high note with positive considerations made for the future.
