Mr Dean O’Neill, Overstrand Municipal Manager, graduated from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), with a PhD in Public Administration on Wednesday, 17 April 2024,

The Municipal Manager’s thesis focussed on whether the future existence of municipalities would be determined by their ability to remain financially sustainable in an increasingly constrained economic and politically volatile environment in their quest to provide and maintain quality and affordable services to all the residents within their jurisdiction.

The study is significant as municipalities need to guarantee that they are financially sustainable to carry on providing much-needed basic services.

He thanked his family for their support, encouragement and understanding during his PhD journey.

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, expressed her immense joy as she is extremely proud of the MM for taking the academic plunge despite his onerous work as a municipal manager. She congratulated him on behalf of the Municipality on his achievement and said that learning should be a lifelong journey as it opens our eyes and minds to innovative concepts and thinking.