Last week’s First Thursday initiative was well attended by Gansbaai residents.

Thank you all for making the time to engage with Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, and her Mayoral Committee Members, as well as the Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill and his Directors about issues and concerns in the area.

The Mayor encouraged residents to attend ward committee meetings to ensure there is proper participation when the municipality deals with the budget and integrated development plan, among others, for your wards. The 2023/24 Draft Budget and Draft IDP review roadshow will commence on 3 April and the closing date for written comments from the public is set for 30 April 2023.

The municipal website (www.overstrand.gov.za) is another valuable source of information.

She added that each councillor has a WhatsApp Group to share news and updates pertaining to that specific ward. Valuable information such as road closures, fires and power outages are also communicated on the WA groups.

The main points raised were:

• The new access road to the development off the R43 at Masakhane, just outside Gansbaai
• The Masakhane housing project that includes 1 479 stands
• Valuation Roll
• Continued broken water pipes in De Kelders
• Franskraal sub-station and the renewable energy situation