GROW: GOVERNANCE, ECONOMY, SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT SOCIAL

ECONOMY

SEMIGRATION

In 2024, Mossel Bay Municipality was named as the number one destination for semigration in the Western Cape, and Great Brak River, also part of Mossel Bay was named as the 5th most popular semigration destination.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

In 2024 Ratings Afrika announced Mossel Bay Municipality as the Most Financially Sustainable Municipality in South Africa along with Midvaal Municipality in Gauteng.

Since Ratings Afrika published its first MFSI (TM) rating in 2011, Mossel Bay has consistently scored exceedingly high. On at least four occasions Mossel Bay scored tops.

In 2020 the overall financial sustainability score of 76 out of 100 was achieved by Mossel Bay. This was the highest in the Western Cape. In 2021 Mossel Bay scored 74, this placed the town in the top position in the country.

At that stage Mossel Bay was already making the shift from small holiday hamlet to a thriving primary residential destination peppered with a range of highly sought-after residential estates comprising mainly permanent homes.

In 2022, Mossel Bay placed 4th on the Municipal Financial Sustainability Index, with a score of 70 narrowly on the heels of George Municipality which at 71 placed third that year. Mossel Bay is leading the Western Cape with sufficient financial headroom to deliver services and develop infrastructure while building reserves to absorb financial shocks.

In 2023 Mossel Bay scored 70 and placed joint-second with Swartland Municipality. Mossel Bay Municipality showed that it has well-entrenched financial policies, and that our budget is based on sound long-term financial strategies. We adhere to good budgetary practices, strict financial control, and good revenue collection despite tough economic conditions.

The 2024 result reflects sound long term development planning, fiscal management policies and discipline by the leadership of Mossel Bay Municipality. The high score achieved by Mossel Bay Municipality means in practice that it has the financial ability to deliver high levels of services to the people of Mossel Bay.

LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Earlier this year, Mossel Bay Municipality's office for Local Economic Development earlier this year was awarded bronze at the prestigious Western Cape Government Provincial Service Excellence Awards in the category “Best Municipal Project”. The award recognises the municipality’s efforts to grow the local economy and assistance to small businesses through their business parks (beehives), the Goods Shed and business incubator project. The beehives are based at Thusong, Wolwedans, Khoebo and Barcelona (KwaNonqaba), markets stalls in Mossel Bay Central and the Goods Shed.

Gwynne Harding, (Manager Local Economic Development and Tourism) and Sharion Louw (Local Economic Development Officer) received the certificates of recognition and were accompanied by Portfolio Chairperson for Planning & Economic Development Executive Deputy Mayor, Alderman Cliffie Bayman.

TOURISM

We are excited about the arrival of 27 cruise-liners this season and their many passengers who will disembark to enjoy all our town, and surrounding areas has to offer. Tourists and residents are often amazed by these magnificent ships and numerous yachts in our bay during the summer. 

ROUTE 12 

Mossel Bay Tourism recently introduced Route 12, a tourist route leading to 12 #ICONIC towns in our district showcasing our pristine beaches, unique adventures, and renowned cultural sites. Route 12 offers an experience of each town's distinctive food and drink, and exciting activities like helicopter rides, wildlife safaris, fishing, and boating adventures. We dare you to explore the less-travelled roads to discover Mossel Bay's committed dedication to all aspects of our community.

WORLD HERITAGE STATUS FOR PINNACLE POINT

In a landmark event for cultural heritage and international cooperation this afternoon, Provincial MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sports Minister Ricardo Mackenzie, his Head of Office Guy Redman, and the Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Western Cape, Michael Janse van Rensburg were representing South Africa at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in India where the announcement was made a few hours ago.

In 2011, the Mossel Bay Municipal Council resolved to provide its full support for a World Heritage status application and delegated the Municipal Manager to investigate the possibilities of this as well as possible future involvement of the municipality in the discoveries. It was also recommended that Mossel Bay be the entry point of these discoveries and that the possibility of erecting an Interpretive Centre for this purpose be investigated.

A report was subsequently tabled to the Council in 2013, recommending that a task team be established consisting of members of the Public, representatives for indigenous (first peoples) groups, municipal officials, and the Heritage Society to proceed with the planning of an Interpretative Centre. 

In 2014, the report was tabled to Council and it resolved to avail the portion of land at the St Blaize cave site at the Point, below the Point Caves to establish an Interpretive Centre as well as establish a non-profit company (NPC) to lease the land from Council and oversee the construction and future management of the Interpretive Centre. 

Since then, the NPC has been functional and has successfully established an interim centre to tell this remarkable story and expose visitors to the unique discoveries and the history of our indigenous people. This interim centre was established with donations from, amongst others, the private sector for which the Council and the NPC board are very grateful.

The board of the NPC consists of residents and academics with skills, knowledge, and passion for the story of the Cradle of Human Culture.

The current chairperson is Gail Lawrence. She may be contacted should anyone want to become involved and participate in the activities of the NPC.

I want to thank everyone who had a part in this major achievement for their hard work and dedication. The vision of the Council for the Interpretive Center is to have a state-of-the-art, modern, professionally managed permanent building at the said site. Receiving World Heritage Status will greatly enhance this vision, stimulate the economy, create jobs, help position Mossel Bay as the place where cultures meet, attract academics and other groups and individuals interested in learning more about the origins of human culture, and share the beautiful Mossel Bay we all know with the rest of the world. 

SOCIAL

ACCESSIBILITY

Thusong Service Centre 2nd Location in Mossel Bay to Offer Reasonable Accomodation for Individiuals with disabilities according to Disability Accessibiliy Mossel Bay’s Scorecard

During Mossel Bay Thusong Service Centre’s 2024 Service Outreach, the Mossel Bay Thusong Centre officially became the second organization in Mossel Bay to provide universal access facilities in line with the aims of Disability Accessibility Mossel Bay!

Launched in July 2026, Disability Accessibility Mossel Bay (DAM) provides a 5-star rating in terms of how accessible venues, facilities, shops, restaurants and hotels in Mossel Bay are for people with disabilities.

DAM is a community-led partnership between the Western Cape Department of Social Development, Mossel Bay Municipality, community organisations such as Education & Training Hub for Autism Needs (ETHAN), and local businesses, to incentivise local organizations to build a more universally accessible Mossel Bay.

DAM’s 5-star rating system is designed by persons with disabilities for persons with disabilities and determines the level of universal access facilities offer.

The DAM leadership which consists of Jacques Mostert, Patrick Saayman, Amanda Bester, Diane Hobbs, Louw-let Fourie, and Ronel Mareé advocate for local organizations etc.) to increase the universal accessibility of their facilities through offering reasonable accommodation such as brail text, ramps, easy to reach door handles, text to speech facilities, water bowls for guide dogs and many others, in order  ensure that in ICONIC Mossel Bay people across the spectrum of ability feel welcome.

In July 2024, Diaz Hotel’s Bahia Bleu was the first establishment to provide reasonable accommodation to clients. The restaurant was recognised at the launch as the first to receive a 5-star rating from DAM. 

AWARD WINNING THUSONG SERVICE CENTRE

William Clayton the manager of the Thusong Service Centre , also received awards on behalf of the Thusong Service Centre in April.The Mossel Bay Thusong Centre secured three awards at the annual national Thusong Service Centre Programme Awards held in Bloemfontein. The centre was awarded three 2nd places, for Outstanding Thusong Mobile; Private Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations, and Outstanding Thusong Hub. 

IRONMAN 70.3 TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE , 3 YEARS RUNNING, 3 YEARS TO GO

On 17 November 2024, Mossel Bay Tourism COO Lieschke Steven-Jennings, Mayoral Communications Officer Aydn Parrott , and the Executive Mayor will participate in the 3rd IRONMAN 70.3 to be held in Mossel Bay.

They will participate to raise funds for three children’s charities that fall under the IRONMAN 4 THE KIDZ South Africa umbrella of charities.

Mossel Bay has also secured the IRONMAN 70.3 event for an additional 3 years!

ENVIRONMENT

The newly constituted Mossel Bay Conservancy NPC is set to GROW the environment through partnerships. Together, almost twenty member organizations will promote and coordinate conservation from Gourits to Glenatana and inland. I am also excited about the renewal of a section of Harry Giddey Park for use as a penguin Sanctuary. 

In partnership with the Conservancy Forum and other local partners as well as through our ongoing relationship with Kouga Municipality in the Eastern Cape, we are advocating for a marine protected area along the coastline of Mossel Bay.

Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell has offered to send experts form his Department to assist with the development of the Marine Protected Area. 

SAFETY

On Wednesday, 9 October 2024, the Mossel Bay Municipality officially opened its K9 Unit facility, based at the Mossel Bay Branch of the Garden Route SPCA. The unit is one of three operating in the Province. The other two units are based in the Swartland and Overstrand Municipalities.

In the last three years the Mossel Bay Municipality has received R10.2 million from the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety. 

The seven dogs who will call the K9 Unit home are all healthy, fit, and up to the challenge to help fight crime. They are prepared to sniff out any nefarious activities during raids and searches for illegal ammunition, illegally obtained abalone and other protected species, as well as narcotics. 

To add to this, two search and rescue dogs will be introduced in February 2025 which will bring the total number of dogs to nine in the K9 Unit. The current cost per dog is R106 000 and the last two dogs will cost R138 000.These are not small numbers, and the Western Cape Government has put its money where its mouth is by spending on what matters.

Of course, the first and most well-known dog is Mufasa. Each dog has their own handler. The handlers are trained to manage and help coach up the dogs, through regular evaluations, which assess their abilities.

While this is the official opening of the K9 Unit facility, the dogs themselves have been involved in regular joint-operations with the South African Police Services. Three weeks ago, the Municipal Manager Mr Colin Puren, Executive Mayor Dirk Kotzé and Portfolio Chairperson for Community Safety Councillor Leon van Dyk signed an MOU with SAPS for further collaboration between their respective K9 units and cross boundary assistance.

Mossel Bay Municipality’s Executive Mayor Alderman Dirk Kotzé says, “The opening of today’s facility marks yet another significant step in building one of the safest Local Municipalities in Africa,” he adds, “I want to thank all the Municipal, District, Provincial and National government departments who have helped make this project possible and have placed their trust in Mossel Bay to be the third site in the Western Cape to house a K9 Unit that will support community safety efforts across the Garden Route. Today, ICONIC Mossel Bay is taking another step towards becoming one of the nerve centres of community safety in the Western Cape.

Premier Winde said, “I commend the Mossel Bay Municipality for making good use of the funds we allocate to addressing crime in our province. Apart from the resources we put into helping to train and equip municipal law enforcement members, we must also invest in our K9 Units, which are an added component of the Western Cape Safety Plan. These four-legged crimefighters are so much more than that. Along with their handlers they are also live savers, playing a critical role in responding to disasters.”

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais welcomed the launch of the K9 unit as the next step in the Western Cape Government's project to have K9 units on every access route to the Western Cape. "Mossel Bay joins the municipalities of Overstrand and Swartland in having its own K9 unit. The dedication of the two-legged and four-legged members of this K9 unit will make Mossel Bay safer for all its people."

Mossel Bay Municipality’s Grow Safety pillar of our GROW strategy emphasizes the fact that no society can prosper in an unsafe environment. 

Portfolio Chairperson for Community Safety Councillor Leon van Dyk says, “Today, I wish to thank Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, Western Cape Provincial Minister for Police Oversight & Community Safety, MEC Anroux Marais, Municipal Manager Mr Colin Puren, Executive Mayor Alderman Dirk Kotzé and the Community Safety Portfolio Chairpersons in our neighbouring municipalities Portfolio Chairperson for helping us bring this K9 Unit facility to life.”

The facilities currently house the seven Belgian Malinois dogs of the K9 Unit – Mufasa, Wendy, Beste, Debbie, Whiskey, Amber and Tyson. In total, 10 kennels have been built. Each dog has their own handler, and the unit is equipped with its own vehicles, made fit for purpose. The new K9 Unit facility includes training apparatus where continuous training and evaluation of the dogs is done. The location of the facility secures easy access to veterinary care. Security cameras have been installed on the premises, which also assists the SPCA as a valued partner of the Mossel Bay Municipality in terms of enhancing the overall safety at the location. The Parks Department of the Mossel Bay Municipality, as part of the municipality’s greening plan, planted numerous indigenous trees at the K9 Unit’s facility. Water tanks have been installed to provide the facility with the necessary irrigation. 

WATER SECURITY

Mossel Bay's municipal area receives water from the Wolwedans Dam (24Ml capacity), Klipheuwel Dam (4.5Ml capacity), Ernest Robertson Dam (0.5Ml capacity), and the Hartbeestkuil Dam and eight boreholes.

Untreated water is sent to seven water treatment facilities situated strategically across the municipal area, then to 30 stations and 55 reservoirs before reaching 37,594 customers (June 30, 2023), 38 296 to date.

The Saltwater Desalination Plant, with a maximum capacity of 15 Ml per day, is the largest in South Africa and guarantees that Mossel Bay remains the sole municipality able to offer water security.

When operational, the desalination plant feeds into the Langeberg reservoir for distribution into the municipal water network.

Reservoirs

When filled to the brim, the total volume of the town's reservoirs is 109.45 Ml. The current volume is 92.55Ml, 83.3% of the total capacity. Mossel Bay is authorised to sell 29,491Ml of water annually.

This results in a mean daily supply quantity of 80.70Ml, with a daily usage of 28.26Ml.

Since the 2021/22 financial year up to and including the 2023/24 financial year, the following new reservoirs have been added to the water supply network:

• Herbertsdale (0.76 ML); 

• Hartenbos – Vaale Valley (7.0 Ml); 

• Great Brak River (4.0 Ml); and 

• Bartelsfontein (7.0 Ml)

Master plan

The municipality's current master plan for water supply is aligned with the 2030 spatial development framework (SDF).

This plan outlines the expansion and upgrading of bulk water infrastructure to meet the increasing demand in Mossel Bay and nearby areas, in both the medium and long term. The ROR and the master plan for water supply are reassessed and adjusted every five years.

Water projects 

Mossel Bay Municipality has completed several water sustainability infrastructure development and upgrading projects:

§ Replace waterlines All – Areas: 2023/2024 + 2024/2025 = R 12 000 000. Average of R 5m per year going forward. 

§ Pipeline between Sonskyn Vallei & Brandwag: 2022/2023 + 2023/2024 + 2024/2025 = R 16 300 000 

§ Upgrade waterlines to supply water to Louis Fourie Corridor Development: 2024/2025 + 2025/2026 + 2026/2027 = R 21m

§ Upgrade Ernest Robertson pipelines: 2022/2023 + 2023/2024 + 2024/2025 = R 8.5m

§ Upgrade & Pumpstation @ Aalwyndal Reservoir: 2024/2025 + 2025/2026 = R 2.5m

§ New Supply Pipeline to Wolwedans Reservoir: 2024/2025 + 2025/2026 = R 4.5m 

§ Upgrade Hartenbos Heuwels Booster pumpstation: 2024/2025 + 2025/2026 = R 2.3m

§ Bartelsfontein – Upgrading of Water Storage Capacity for Louis Fourie Corridor Development: 2025/2026 + 2026/2027 = R 23m

§ Refurbish and upgrading of Sandhoogte Water Treatment Works: 2025/2026 + 2026/2027 = R 14m

§ Refurbish and upgrading of Great Brak Water Treatment Works: 2025/2026 + 2026/2027 = R 4,6m

§ Upgrade water pipeline between Great Brak Water Treatment Works and Glentana: 2024/2025 + 2025/2026 + 2026/2027 = R 5.1m

§ Upgrade Friemersheim Water Treatment Works: 2023/2024 + 2024/2025 = R 4.3

§ Gravity pipelines from Vaale Vallei Reservoir to surrounding residential developments: 2023/2024 + 2024/2025 = R 15.2m

§ Pumpstation to supply new reservoir @ farm Vaale Vallei: 2023/2024 + 2024/2025 = R 6.9

§ Klipheuwel Dam Pumpstation (Electrical, Mechanical and Civil): 2024/2025 + 2025/2026 = R 56m

WATER PROVISION

The water services infrastructure consists of various raw water sources including the Wolwedans Dam, Klipheuwel Dam, Ernest Robertson Dam as well as 8 boreholes with a total registered volume of 43.3 Megalitre per day. Raw water pipelines convey the untreated water to seven Water Purification Plants throughout the municipal area. From the various water purification plants and the desalination plant (when in use), the treated water is pumped via 30 pump stations into 55 reservoirs. 

The combined design capacity of the seven water treatment facilities and the desalination plant is 72.3 Ml daily.

The average daily volume of water purified during the 2023/2024 financial year was 25.04 Ml per day, and increased to 28.99Ml per day during peak periods. A total volume of 10 329 Ml of raw water was purified at the municipal plants and a total volume of 9 137 Ml of purified water was distributed to 38 296 metered connections.

Water loss management

348 preventative maintenance tasks were carried out at pump stations/plants, and 381 water meters were replaced to minimise water losses. In addition, the following activities on the water networks were undertaken in the 2023/2024 financial year:

- New water connections = 291

- Burst water pipelines repaired = 262

- Water meter-related repair work = 1014

► Water meters older than 10 years are continuously replaced throughout the municipal area as part of the water meter replacement programme.

Replace water network lines 

Water infrastructure in the Da Nova precinct was replaced since frequent burst pipes were experienced in this area using pipe cracking technology to minimise open excavations and reduce the inconvenience to the residents in the area. 

This project started during the 2022/2023 financial year and will be completed during the 2024/2025 financial year.

The following was completed during the 2023/2024 financial year:

● 5 x 160mm diameter gate valves installed

● 11 x 110mm diameter gate valves installed

● 15 fire hydrants installed

● Open trench excavation and installation of pipelines: 

- 175m of 160mm diameter HDPE pipelines

- 85 m of 110mm diameter HDPE pipelines

● Pipe cracking: 

- Cracking 75mm AC pipes to 110 mm diameter HDPE pipes = 1351m

- Cracking 75 mm AC pipes to 160 mm diameter HDPE pipes = 186m

The total expenditure for the 2023/2024 financial year amounted to R 4 739 543 excluding VAT (CRR).

Upgrade pipeline between Hartenbos Kop Reservoir and Brandwag 

This pipeline was upgraded due to the age of the existing pipeline and to cater for future increases in consumption. During the 2023/2024 financial year, a portion of the pipeline was upgraded. The remainder of the pipeline will be upgraded during the 2024/2025 financial year.

The following was completed during the 2023/2024 financial year:

● 6 200 m x 200mm diameter PVC installed

●430 m x 200mm diameter HDPE installed

● Installation of 16 Air Valves and 7 Scour Valves

● Installation of 7 Scour Valves

The total expenditure for the 2023/2024 financial year amounted to R 6 131 943 excluding VAT (CRR).

Upgrade pipeline between Ernest Robertson Dam and Sandhoogte Water Treatment Plant 

Sections of the raw water pipeline are very old and frequently require maintenance and repairs. This is a multi-year project spread over the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years. 

The following was completed during the 2023/2024 financial year:

- 1013m of trench excavation

- 628m x 315mm diameter PVC pipe installed

- 39 x Anchor and thrust blocks constructed

The total expenditure for the 2023/2024 financial year amounted to R 4 532 019 excluding VAT (Loan).

Gravity pipelines from Vaale Vallei Reservoir to surrounding residential developments 

New pipelines are required to supply water to the surrounding residential developments. This is a multi-year project running over the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years.

The following projects were completed during the 2022/2023 financial year:

●1 220 m x 400mm diameter PVC gravity pipeline

● 416 m x 315mm diameter PVC gravity pipeline

● 1 x New concrete pipe branch chamber = 45% completed

● 1 x New combined isolating and scour valve chamber on the new 400mm diameter PVC gravity pipeline = 70% completed

● 1 x New combined isolating and scour valve chamber on the new 315mm diameter PVC gravity pipeline = 56% completed

● 1 x New air valve chamber on gravity pipelines completed

The total expenditure for the 2023/2024 financial year amounted to R 6 849 949 excluding VAT (Loan).

Replacement of Fencing at Reservoirs 

At the 55 reservoirs throughout the municipal area, fences regularly need to be replaced to prevent vandalism and unauthorized access.

During the 2023/2024 financial year 395 m of fencing was replaced at various reservoirs.

The total expenditure for the 2023/2024 financial year amounted to R 947 388 excluding VAT (CRR).