A special gathering of individuals deeply concerned about the welfare of the people of the Drakenstein met on 13 November at Le Bac Estate in Paarl to discuss the problems, opportunities and real choices individuals there have.
Reproduced below is the introductory overview given by the organiser of the event, Professor Wilmot James.
In response to it, a number of speakers were also heard, with Herman Bailey drawing on his deep experience of the area.
They were led into discussion by Zelda Jongbloed, deputy editor of Die Burger. Ockie Heyns spoke about the problems of environmental health; Paarl Hospital’s Dr Breslau Kruger gave an overview of the rising incidence of HIV; municipal councillor Arthrob Petersen spoke about housing shortages; and Harlan Cloete about the needs of the youth.
Michael Njenxa pleaded for better education and Captain Louise van der Merwe of the South African Police Services gave a review of sector policing in the area.
With 50 individuals drawn from companies, government, the service sector and civil society, it was a defining moment in the recent history of Paarl.
“We are committed to building on this initiative,” said Prof James, “and a working group is to be launched with Herman Bailey as co-ordinator.”
The Paarl meeting was the second (Kewtown in Cape Town was the first) in a series of consultations organised by the Economic Justice Initiative, a project of Professors Jakes Gerwel and Wilmot James, in association with Die Burger.
