Building A Resilient And Inclusive Future: Initiatives And Strategies At Mossel Bay Municipality

Executive Mayor Dirk Kotzé of Mossel Bay Local Municipality shares the key elements to their success, including financial discipline, political stability, competent staff, and digitization. From innovative technological advancements and digitisation strategies to fostering private sector collaboration, we explore how the municipality is actively working towards a growing and sustainable economy, addressing social challenges, and enhancing the quality of life in the municipality.

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Presented in collaboration with Business Engineering

Overview:

Mossel Bay is situated approximately halfway between the coastal cities of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Mossel Bay Local Municipality has a great track record for its service to the community. It has in the past been named South Africa's most financially sustainable municipality. It has also been reported that Mossel Bay is the number one destination in the Western Cape for South Africans semigrating.

Episode Summary:

• 00:00:00 In this section, the Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay Local Municipality, Dirk Kotzé, discusses the key elements to their success and competitiveness, highlighting financial discipline and political stability as crucial factors. He emphasizes the importance of competent staff and the role of digitization in delivering proper services. The municipality has developed an app with the assistance of Collaborator (by Business Engineering), allowing them to offer services and communicate with the community more efficiently. The app includes features such as access to municipal accounts and push notifications specific to each ward. Additionally, the municipality is implementing telemetry and other technologies to improve performance management and enhance service delivery.
• 00:05:00 In this section, the Executive Mayor discusses the initiatives and strategies implemented by Mossel Bay Municipality to improve decision-making and service delivery. He mentions involving residents in important decision-making processes, such as budget allocation. The municipality has also developed a filing system linked to a collaborative system and an app to track service requests and provide feedback to residents. Additionally, he highlights the municipality's efforts to create an enabling environment for the private sector by ensuring proper services and a safe environment. Collaboration and partnerships are emphasized as key approaches in implementing these initiatives.
• 00:10:00 In this section, Executive Mayor Dirk Kotzé; discusses the Joint Operation Command Center that has been established in Mossel Bay Municipality. The center consists of various organizations and agencies, such as the South African Police Services, neighborhood watches, and fire services, working together to ensure safety and security. The municipality has implemented a communication strategy, including the use of a collaborator app and a new studio, to enhance communication with the private sector and citizens. He also highlights the importance of practical leadership and implementation in achieving goals and making a tangible impact in the community. Additionally, the municipality takes measures to enhance the resilience of its supply chains, such as planning ahead, activating the Joint Operations Command Center, and regularly monitoring fuel levels.
• 00:15:00 In this section, the Executive Mayor discusses the need for leaders to utilize their stable platforms to implement changes and deliver results for the voters and residents. He emphasizes the importance of not becoming complacent and instead actively working towards a growing and sustainable economy, driving down unemployment, and creating a safe environment where people feel a sense of ownership and pride. He highlights the significance of partnerships, trust, and the involvement of passionate individuals to address social challenges and improve the overall quality of life in the municipality. The vision for Mossel Bay is to become a world-class town with a clean and functioning infrastructure that attracts investments and hosts various major events.

About Business Engineering
Business Engineering is a leading consultancy on public sector strategy and transformation, in both local and national / federal environments.

About Mossel Bay Local Municipality
Mossel Bay was officially proclaimed a town in 1848 and in 1852 it became a Municipality. As a result of the new municipal dispensation introduced by the South African Government in December 2000 the Municipality of Mossel Bay was merged with those of the much smaller Friemersheim, Great Brak River and Herbertsdale to establish the present-day Municipality of Mossel Bay. The municipal area includes the towns and / or settlements of Mossel Bay, Boggoms Bay, Brandwag, Buisplaas, D'Almeida, Dana Bay, Glentana, Fraaiuitsig, Friemersheim, Great Brak River, Hartenbos, Herbertsdale, Hersham, KwaNonqaba, Little Brak River.

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