A gathering in the Overstrand Banqueting Hall in Hermanus, marked the graduation ceremony of officials from various municipalities across the Province – including Overstrand, Theewaterskloof and Cape Aghulhas – on successfully complete a course in Integrated Community Development Planning.
“This training course is aimed at establishing participatory democracy to enhance public participation in municipalities,” said Overstrand Municipality spokesperson, Riana Steenkamp.
“It also seeks to ensure that public participation is firmly entrenched and institutionalised within municipalities.”
Overstrand Municipality Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, congratulated the graduands and commended them for the effort they put in to strive for success.
Project meant to empower Overstrand public participation officials
He also thanked the Public Participation Directorate, who appointed Stellenbosch University to conduct and facilitate this accredited NQF level 8 course, for the role played in the continued strengthening of the skills base of our officials through training programmes such as these.
Mayor Coetzee continued by saying “the main purpose of the project was to train and build the capacity of Municipal Public Participation officials, using various topics and modern approaches to public participation”.
“Further, it assists municipalities in strengthening community participation and governance matters, i.e. the IDPs, budget process and service delivery projects, to name but a few,” the Mayor added.
“The programme moreover aims to create an environment that allows communities to influence and own the development that takes place in their respective areas”.
Image: Overstrand Senior Administrative Officer Natashia Dyantyi (middle row, 2nd right) was seen celebrating with other candidates of Beaufort West, Theewaterskloof, Langeberg, Swartland, Knysna, Garden Route, Swellendam, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Bergrivier, Witzenberg, George, Bitou, Stellenbosch, City of Cape Town, Drankenstein, Matzikama, Breede Valley, Department of Local Government and Cape Aghulhas, who recently graduated in Community Development Planning from the University of Stellenbosch.
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