The DA in the Eastern Cape is incredibly proud of the progress being made in the DA-led Kouga Municipality.
Today, 7 March 2023, I was joined by DA EC Provincial Leader, Andrew Whitfield MP, and DA EC Provincial Chairperson, Yusuf Cassim MPL, in Jeffreys Bay as Kouga Mayor Horatio Hendricks, delivered his State of the Municipality Address (SOMA).
Kouga has become a shining beacon of good governance in the Eastern Cape and has done excellent work in addressing water and energy security, service delivery, financial stability, and improving the road network, to name a few.
The prolonged drought is the single most pressing issue, and the municipality has been very successful in avoiding Day Zero.
Two of the four plants for the purification of borehole water have already been completed, and the municipality will soon be able to supply drinkable borehole water to residents.
A network of 30 boreholes has also been created, and 20 more are being planned. These interventions will mitigate the municipality’s reliance on dam water and keep the taps from running dry.
Forward-thinking plans to reduce the municipality’s reliance on Eskom shows the clear blue water between the DA and the failing ANC.
A renewable energy plant that will meet all Kouga’s electricity needs is being discussed. Technologies such as solar, wind power, gas, and biomass are being investigated for this purpose.
Since the DA took over government in 2016, Kouga has become financially stable. We applaud the mayor’s announcement that he will table a draft annual budget of over R1.2 billion focused on plans to fund sustainable water and energy security over the next three years.
The road network is integral to the success of the economy, and Kouga has spent millions of rands on upgrading and tarring gravel roads.
The strong focus on restoring the dignity of our people through housing delivery and sanitation provision yet again highlights the caring and people-first nature of DA governments.
We are extremely proud of this government as an example of the better quality of life of residents in DA-run municipalities