www.thevillagenews.co.za
4 November 2020
2021/22 IDP review underway Writer De Waal Steyn
community,” said Coetzee.
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He added: “This year our IDP review and budget compilation processes are influenced by the uncertain future due to Covid-19 and the negative effect that lockdown has had on our economy, the post Covid-19 recovery plans as well as the possibility of a second wave. Globally the effect of Covid-19 is devastating. Closer to home, in South Africa, at least 2.2 million people lost their jobs and the country’s fragile economy fell into recession with an 8.2% contraction expected for 2020.
he 2021/2022 review of the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) will align with the Western Cape Government’s post-Covid-19 recovery plan that focuses on jobs, safety and wellbeing. This was made public by Mayor Dudley Coetzee during his IDP review and 2021/2024 budget directional speech during the Council meeting held last Wednesday. The municipality is busy with the fourth and final review for 2021/2022 of the current 5-year IDP. The IDP is the five-year development plan of the municipality that is reviewed annually. Coetzee said the annual review allows Council the opportunity to “pause and assess” whether they are still on track in attaining the strategic direction set at the start of the fiveyear period. The current IDP was approved by Council in 2017 and covers the period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2022. He said for the 2021/22 IDP review the Overstrand Executive Management Team (EMT) has collectively decided to retain the strategic direction set in the current IDP. “Our vision, mission and strategic objectives will remain unchanged. We emphasised that every member of staff and councillors must live up to our vision to be a centre of excellence for the
“At the IDP review strategic session in October, the EMT deliberated on the status quo of jobs, safety and wellbeing, as well as possible new initiatives for the coming financial year. One of the discussion points was how to attract big companies to our area. To achieve this, it was agreed that red tape reduction must be accelerated; open days should be hosted to get businesses interested in our area; it must be investigated what other municipalities are doing to attract investment – particularly where large pieces of land are not required; and to continue to build relationships with the existing businesses in our area.” Coetzee emphasised the importance of tourism to the Overstrand economy. “It was agreed that we need to ensure that attractions that will draw tourists into our area all
year round are provided. We need to revisit our larger infrastructure projects to determine how these can contribute to job creation and we will also investigate wi-fi connectivity to areas not currently connected.” The outcomes of Overstrand’s post-Covid-19 recovery plan will feed into the 2021/22 IDP review process. “The IDP informs the municipal budget and therefor the IDP review process includes the compilation of the 2021/22 draft budget. Covid-19 is still with us and this has left us with a difficult economic climate in which to budget. Consequently, very stringent budget guidelines have been issued to the administration by Council. All expense items that we are able to control will have a zero increase and at this stage tariff increases are limited 3.5%.” The draft 2021/22 IDP review and draft 2021/22 Budget will both serve before Council in March 2021 for consideration. The mayor urged all stakeholders to actively participate and engage on the platforms created for the IDP and budget review process. He concluded by saying: “As always, the public will have the opportunity in April 2021 to submit written inputs on both the draft IDP review and the draft budget. Public inputs are valued, and the municipality encourages active public participation in these two processes.”
‘Love Hermanus’ lauded overseas Three South African films recently won top awards at an international tourism film festival in Viseu, Portugal. The big winner was ‘Mzansea’, directed and edited by Otto Whitehead, which celebrates the treasures of South Africa’s oceans and the conservation efforts that have led to the extent of its marine protected areas increasing from 0.4% to 5%. The other two films, ‘Welcome to Khayelitsha’ and ‘Love Hermanus’ each came second in their respective categories. ‘Love Hermanus’, which was entered in the locations category, was directed and edited by FC Hamman, an award-winning filmmaker and drone cinematography specialist. FC says he made the short film after South Africa had been in lockdown for many weeks, and he and his friend, Shane Sauvage of La Pentola, agreed that “the people of Hermanus needed something to lift their spirits”. After securing the rights to the music at his own cost – a South African composition called ‘Sacred Quest’ – FC used footage owned by his
company, FC Hamman Films and edited the film to the beat of the music, also at no remuneration. The uplifting film, which makes use of FC’s exciting drone shots, can be viewed on YouTube (https://youtu.be/kZ86lsPeaJ0). The film was widely shared on social media platforms, not only to kickstart domestic tourism to the Cape Whale Coast, but also to promote the area as a desirable film location. “International production teams who come here to shoot on location are a huge potential source of income and job opportunities,” says FC. “And where in the world could you find more diverse and more beautiful locations than here?” – Hedda Mittner
FC Hamman taking time out of his busy schedule to enjoy breakfast at The Eatery, one of his favourite restaurants in Hermanus.
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