Two women lead Drakenstein
2006-03-23
IT was an evening of high drama in the Paarl town hall on Thursday night, when the ID sided with the ANC to elect Charmaine Manuel as the new mayor of Drakenstein.
At the start of the meeting, there was still some hope in the DA camp (20 of the 61 councillors) that, with the help of the ID and the smaller parties, they might gain the 31 votes required to run the council.
But when the first ballots were cast for the election of the Speaker, there were 37 votes for Pele Mgajo (ANC).
This made it clear that the ID (10 councillors) had opted to back the ANC, the biggest party in Drakenstein with its 26 councillors.
Not only the ID, but clearly one member of one of the smaller parties (WCC, ACDP or FD) had also voted for Mgajo.
Thereafter the way was clear for Manuel to be elected as mayor. And as a reward for her party’s support, the deputy mayorship went to Jacqui Noland of the ID - making it the first time two women are at the helm of Drakenstein.
When it became clear that the ANC had retained control of Drakenstein, there was much singing and dancing on the packed gallery as the new mayor donned the mayoral robes and chain.
Manuel addressed the meeting, observing that they had fought a long and hard election battle, but that all members of the council must now succeed in working together to fast-track delivery of services.
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