From dream to reality: leading from the front

Writer & Photographer Elaine Davie

Fire-fighters are Grant Cohen’s heroes and if he had the courage, he says he would be up there with them fighting the fires in the mountains above Betty’s Bay. Grant is the Overstrand Ward 9 Councillor, based in Kleinmond. In fact, many members of his community would describe him as a man with fire in the belly for transforming Kleinmond into a winning town.

And he’s not just a dreamer either; he’s out there getting his hands dirty in every aspect of Kleinmond’s lived reality.

“If I haven’t been on patrol with members of the Neighbourhood Watch, or been on a camp with some of our local kids, or spent a day in a wheelchair, how can I truly know what it feels like, or understand what the triumphs or challenges are for the people involved,” he comments.

“Most of the barriers we build between ourselves are based on fear and misperceptions; I want to break them down. Together, we can build the economy of this town, turning it into a tourist destination in its own right, whilst at the same time preserving the very special, laid-back, friendly vibe which has attracted holiday-makers for decades. We can’t afford to have people sitting on the sidelines as spectators anymore; we need every single citizen to get involved, sharing their time and expertise to turn this dream into a real success story.”

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