The Indonesian Consul General in Cape Town, Ms Sugie Harijadi, is returning to Indonesia after the completion of her tour of duty and on 18 June 2014 came to Mossel Bay to bid farewell to the Municipality.

With her in the photograph are the Executive Mayor, Alderlady Marie Ferreira (left) and the Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz (right). Consul General Harijadi maintained good relationships with Mossel Bay and was responsible for the Indonesian participation in the Dias Festival, at which the people of Mossel Bay were exposed to Indonesian culture, over the past three years.  

The colourful Indonesian folk dances at the 2014 Dias Festival in particular had people gasping for their breath. She will be leaving South Africa in July 2014 after a tour of duty of just more than four years.

Not everyone can or wants to be active in competitive sport but that does not mean they cannot share in the 2014 Mossel Bay Sports Festival. As in 2012 and 2013, the Moss Walk will again form part of this year’s festival and promises to be a lot of fun.

The Moss Walk will start at 11:00 on 4 October 2014 at Milkwood Primary School and the route of 5 km will take walkers through the stalls area in Marsh Street and back. To add to the fun atmosphere, the walkers will again be accompanied by brass bands.

The first 300 entries will each receive a free T-shirt and there will be lots of lucky draws at the end.

The objective of the organisers is to make this the biggest fun walk ever to be held in Mossel Bay. It will also help to create a festival atmosphere on the Saturday together with the street party, with stalls and live entertainment until late, in a closed-off section of Marsh Street

The Sports Festival will be held from 3 October 2014 to 7 October 2014 and the indications are that in the order of 30 sports codes will participate. The Festival is co-ordinated by the Mossel Bay Municipality as a project to market Mossel Bay and to stimulate the local economy by drawing visitors to the town.

The Mossel Bay Town Council at its last monthly meeting accepted a new draft by-law on municipal land use planning and it is now available for public scrutiny and comment until 11 July 2014.

The document is available on the Municipality’s website at http://www.mosselbay.gov.za or at the Mossel Bay municipal offices and libraries in Marsh Street, Mossel Bay as well as at D’Almeida, Friemersheim, Great Brak River, Herbertsdale and KwaNonqaba.

Written comments must be addressed to the Municipal Manager at PO Box 25, Mossel Bay 6500 or by fax to (044) 606-5062 or by e-mail at admin@mosselbay.gov.za by not later than 12:00 on Friday, 11 July 2014.

The final draft is subject to approval by Council after which it has to be published in the Western Cape Provincial Gazette to come into effect.

The Mossel Bay Town Council at its monthly meeting in 29 May 2013 approved a total budget of R905,2 million for the 2014/2015 financial year. The total budget represents an increase of 2,5 per cent over the revised total budget of R883,5 million for the current financial year.
 
The second revised Integrated Development Plan was tabled and approved at the same meeting.
 
The 2014/2015 budget is comprised of a capital budget of R123,4 million and an operational budget of R781,8 million. The operational budget includes departmental and non-cash transactions in the amount of R95,5 million. If this amount is subtracted the operational cash budget for 2014/2015 amounts to R686,3 million.
 
The increase in tariffs for services rendered by the Municipality as well as property rates is 6% across the board. Electricity tariffs will increase by 7,39 per cent and have been approved as such by the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
 
The fixed monthly charge for water for domestic consumers will increase from R120,55, plus VAT, to R127,78, plus VAT per month, and the tariff per kilolitre of water consumed from R5,72, plus VAT, to R6,06, plus VAT, for consumption of up to 20 kilolitres per month. For consumption between 21 kilolitres per month to 30 kilolitres per month the tariff will increase from R8,01, plus VAT, per kilolitre per month to R8,49, plus VAT, per kilolitre per month.  A sliding scale applies to water tariffs, with increments linked to monthly consumption per household. All households will continue to receive 6 kilolitres of water free per month.
 
The monthly domestic refuse removal fee, calculated on a minimum of two units, will increase from R97,71, plus VAT, to R103,57, plus VAT. The annual domestic sewerage charge will increase from R1 963,43, plus VAT, to R2 081,24, plus VAT. Residential property rates will increase from R0,002546 in the rand to R0,002699 in the rand, based on the municipal valuation of the property. The first R50 000 of the property’s valuation will be exempt.
 
 
The basic charge for domestic consumers on the two-part electricity tariff structure will change from R191,33, plus VAT, per month, to R205,47, plus VAT, per month, and the unit charge from R0,911, plus VAT, to R0,978, plus VAT.
 
The tariff per unit for consumers on the single phase one-part structure (prepaid electricity) will go up from R1,204, plus VAT, as at present, to R1,293, plus VAT. All households will receive 20 kWh of electricity free per month, except indigent households that will receive 50 kWh of free electricity per month.
 
Council again considered the plight of the poor and households respectively classified as indigent or poor will both receive a monthly subsidy of R404,79, plus VAT, on their household accounts, subject to certain conditions with regard to monthly income and water and electricity consumption. This compares with R381,88, plus VAT, for both categories in the 2013/2014 financial year. These subsidies will cover the basic fees with regard to sewerage, refuse removal, water basic and electricity basic.
 
The total monthly income limit of a husband and wife at which pensioners will become eligible for a discount of 50% on their property rates is increased from the present R11 000 per month to R12 000 per month. The limit to qualify for a discount of 30% is increased from R14 000 per month to R16 000 for the 2014/2015 financial year[v1] .
 
The same income limits will apply to qualify for discounts in respect of sewerage fees for pensioners. However, the discount of 40% which applied to pensioners in the lower income bracket, will be increased to 50% in 2014/2015.
 
The 2014/2015 Capital Budget will be financed mainly by R78,5 million from internal funding resources, R19,8 million in Municipal Infrastructure Grants, ie MIG funding, and R13 million in Provincial Human Settlements funding.
 
The major allocations in the Capital Budget are as follows:
 
Streets and Stormwater                       :                       R35 million.
Electricity Services                             :                       R24,4 million.
Sewerage Services                             :                       R17,9 million.
Water Services                       :                                   R17,7 million.
Human Settlements                 :                                   R 13 million
 
In her budget speech, Alderlady Ferreira said the time had come for all to lower their, expectations, specifically with regard to the level of municipal services and infrastructure that is provided. Maintaining services at the high levels to which ratepayers and consumers have become accustomed to, is very expensive.
 
She said proper financial planning within the limited resources available will and must always be the main focus point of the management of the Municipality.
 
“The maintenance and renewal of existing infrastructure must always be seen as the highest priority to ensure sustainable as well as existing high levels of service delivery standards,” said Alderlady Ferreira.

The keeping of animals in the Mossel Bay municipal area is regulated in terms of by-laws and the public are urged to take note of these as transgressions of the by-laws concerned may result in the guilty parties being prosecuted and, in some cases, the impoundment of the animals.

In terms of the By-Law on the Keeping of Dogs, as published on 20 November 2009 and the Amended By-Law of the Keepings of Dogs, as published on 3 June 2011, a maximum of two dogs are allowed on normal urban residential premises unless the prior written consent of the Municipal had been obtained to keep more dogs. The restriction does not apply for a period of 16 weeks after the birth of a litter from an animal kept on the property in compliance with the by-law.

The provisions of the by-law do not apply to premises which are zoned for agricultural purposes or bona fide agricultural purposes or are used as veterinary clinics or veterinary hospitals or for the training of guide dogs for the blind. They also don’t apply to premises where dogs are kept for security services or for security training purposes.

In terms of the By-Law Relating to Public Nuisances, published on 18 January 2010, a person may not keep on any premises a cat or cats  in such a manner so as to cause any nuisance or annoyance to other people. The Municipality may impose conditions for and restrictions on the number of cats that may be kept on a property. A breeder of cats who wishes to keep more than two cats must obtain permission from the Municipality.

No other animals, except pets, may be kept on any premises or property without the prior written permit issued by the Municipal Manager unless the premises are in terms of an applicable town planning scheme zoned for the keeping of animals. The owner or keeper of the animals may not cause or allow an animal to interfere with the ordinary comfort, convenience, peace or quiet of other people or cause damage or pose a danger to other people or animals. They may also not leave or allow any animal to be on a public road or any section thereof or leave such animal in a place where it may stray into such section of a public road, or roam uncontrolled.

If animals are impounded, the owner is, in addition to paying a fine, responsible for all costs, including transport costs to the pound, daily tariffs and other costs related to the keeping the animals at the pound. The animals will not be released if the monies are not paid and non-payment could result in the animals being sold at an auction to recover the costs.

The Municipality has in recent weeks impounded 31 heads of cattle and 7 pigs, mainly in the Great Brak River area, and 23 goats.

The mentioned by-laws can be viewed on the Municipality’s website at http://www.mosselbay.gov.za or at the Municipality.

Fireballs and mosquitoes will be exciting additions to the 2014 Mossel Bay Sports Festival – but it is certainly not a cause for concern! They are both types of boats that will participate in the regatta to be held at the Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club as part of the Sports Festival in October this year.

The Club will host the national championships for both these types of boats as well as the Eastern Cape Regional Championships from 4 October 2014 to 6 October 2014. The competitions are expected to  attract in the order of 140 boats.

The Mosquito is a high-performance 4,9 metre racing catamaran and some of its exciting features are the dagger boards that help with the upwind leg and a spinnaker for the downwind leg. The defending national champions in this class are Bradley and Saskia Stemmett from Cape Town and it is likely that they will defend their title in Mossel Bay. The local team of Pieter de Villiers and Daleen Naude finished fifth last year in the national championships and it is hoped that they will do well in this year’s championship.

The Fireballs are a long standing racing class in South Africa. This is a dingy, which has a spinnaker and is a very tricky boat to sail. The Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club will be hosting the Fireball World Championship in 2016.

The sailing championships have become a major feature of the Mossel Bay Sports Festival, especially as they attract national championship events because of the good sailing conditions in Mossel Bay. The South African Finn class national championships were held in Mossel Bay as part of the 2013 Festival.

The Sports Festival is held annually and co-ordinated by the Mossel Bay Municipality as a project to promote a healthy lifestyle and market the town.

Although the Municipality co-ordinates and markets the festival, individual sports clubs and institutions each organise their own events. The 2013 Sports Festival attracted more than 30 sporting codes. A street party with live music in Marsh Street as well as a fun walk, the Moss Walk, helps to ensure a festive atmosphere.

A team athletics event for schools, the Rawson’s Top 10 Athletics Meeting, will this year form part of the annual Mossel Bay Sports Festival for the first time. Organised by Point High School, the athletics event will take place on Saturday, 4 October 2014.

The event will form part of the third Mossel Bay Sports Festival that will be held from Friday, 3 October 2014 to Tuesday, 7 October 2014.

Athletes can only enter as members of teams. Each team will consist of ten members. They can compete in as many as possible events in their respective age groups although a maximum of two members per team will be allowed to enter a single event.

Athletes can compete in the under 11, under 13, under 15 and under 17 age groups. The 18 best performances of each school according to the Athletics South Africa points table will determine the winning school. Only the first six positions will score points in each event. An athlete will also be allowed a maximum of three efforts in field items.

The entry fee is R20 per athlete and entry forms can be obtained from Point High School. Forms must be submitted before 31 May 2014. The contact person is Mr Jannie Nel, Head of Athletics at the school at telephone (044) 691-2247.

The Mossel Bay Sports Festival is co-ordinated by the Mossel Bay Municipality. Enquiries can be addressed to the Office of the Municipal Manager at telephone (044) 606-5003 or (044) 606-5193 or by e-mail to festivals@mosselbay.gov.za orfeeste@mosselbay.gov.za.

The dates for Mossel Bay’s annual Sports Festival have been announced – and the organisers are urging everyone in the town to get involved.

 “The Festival has grown so much every year - largely as a result of the teamwork that’s gone into it,” said the town’s executive mayor, Alderlady Marie Ferreira.

 She said that, while the Festival is coordinated by a committee which includes directors and officials of the Municipality, the actual work of creating, organising, and running the individual events is done by people and organisations who labour for the love of their sports.

 “And they don’t do what they do for the honour or recognition - but for the greater good of Mossel Bay.”

 Alderlady Ferreira called on all members of the community to take part. “Let’s make the 2014 Mossel Bay Sport Festival something for everyone - young and old alike,” she said.

 Last year’s Festival attracted more than 30 different sporting codes – and many of them have already indicated that they’ll be there again this year. These include soccer, bowling, golf, cycling, running (including the annual PetroSA Marathon ), sailing (including the Mosquito national championships), jukskei, skateboarding, school athletics, a motorsport gymkhana, and cricket (32 teams have already entered The Point High School’s KFC under-19s Cricket Week).

 A doggie walk in aid of the local SPCA, and the always popular MossMarch (a mass walk) and street party will have also been confirmed.

 The organisers are hoping that codes like netball, tennis, triathlon, lifesaving, rubber duck racing, squash, martial arts, women’s rugby, softball (korfbal), darts, badminton, klawerjas, a sea mile, angling, and diving will also be represented, and that various events will be arranged for disabled people. 

 “This year’s Festival will run from the 3rd to the 7th of October, although the PetroSA Marathon will happen on the 28th of September. , ” said the town’s municipal manager and the festival’s chief coordinator, Dr. Michele Gratz.

 “It’s a pity that the Marathon won’t take place on the weekend of the Festival, but its date was set according to the national calendar, and we chose the Festival dates to coincide with the school holidays. Still, it’s become one of Mossel Bay’s iconic events, and so consider it a vital part of the Festival.”

 Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm urged everyone in the tourism system to take part in the Festival, too.

 “Events like the Mossel Bay Sports Festival bring huge numbers of people into the town, and they’re great opportunities to showcase the Garden Route to short-term visitors who could return for their annual holidays later in the year. And with confirmed entrance from teams from as far afield as Windhoek, there’s no doubt that the Sports Festival attracts interest from around the country and beyond its borders.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what creative ideas the people in tourism and hospitality will present to enhance the experience of the visitors.”

 Festival details will be published on www.mosselbayevents.co.za as they become available. 

 Organisers of sports events that wish to be included in the Sport Festival should contact Harry Hill at the Mossel Bay Municipality (hhill@mosselbay.gov.za; 044 606 5193). For tourism enquiries, please contact Marcia Holm at Mossel Bay Tourism (manager@visitmosselbay.co.za; 044 691 2202).

Council wants to thank the ratepayers and users of municipal services sincerely for the way in which they have met their financial obligations towards the Municipality in the past financial year, and helped to ensure that Mossel Bay remains one of the financially healthiest local authorities in South Africa, said the Executive Mayor, Alderlady Marie Ferreira.
 “In the 2012/2013 financial year the Municipality once again achieved a healthy revenue collection rate of 97,3% from rates and services tariffs, thanks to the positive payment culture of our town’s residents.
“It is the right thing to do to pay for the services that are received and to ensure that the town’s infrastructure is maintained and renewed. I therefore really want to convey my and the Council’s sincere thanks and appreciation for the way in which our taxpayers and users of services met their obligations. 
“It also helped the Municipality to maintain some of the highest service delivery levels in South Africa, and generally to maintain the town in a condition for which the Municipality regularly receives compliments from literally everywhere in South Africa as well as other parts of the world,” she said.

According to the Mayoral Overview in the Municipality’s 2013 Annual Report, the Municipality achieved minimum service delivery levels in 2012/2013 of respectively 100%, 96%, 86%, 92% and 92% in respect of water supply, sewerage services, electricity supply, refuse removal and housing. The percentages are affected as they also includes service  delivery in informal settlements.

It is in the interest of all residents of Mossel Bay to support the Municipality’s waste recycling initiatives to protect the environment for future generations and also because the cost of establishing landfill areas and dumping sites, which are funded from ratepayers’ money, is very high. Residents are therefore urged to use the blue bags issued to them for this purpose.

The following items can be recycled: Photostat paper; laser print paper; computer paper; all writing paper, letterheads and envelopes (regardless of colour); newspapers, magazines, books and pamphlets; all cardboard boxes and packaging material; cardboard displays; clean wrapping and packaging plastic; clean plastic shopping bags; plastic as well as cool drink and milk bottles; all beverage and canned fruit cans; glass bottles and jars (all containers to be rinsed).

The following are NOT suitable for recycling: Any wet, smelly or soiled materials; diapers; carbons; chemically treated facsimile or heat sensitive paper; ice cream sweet, biscuit and chips wrapping and packets; used paper towels and paper serviettes; plastic-coated paper; wax paper; milk cartons; tinfoil; cling wrap; polystyrene food containers; cellophane; window glass; light bulbs; neon tubes, porcelain and pottery.

Enquiries can be addressed to Elmarie at (044) 695-4918 or 0836170017.