Call for a united front

The following report was published in the Our Times of 27 August 2010:

The Jeffreys Bay Ratepayers Association (JBRPA) has appealed to the residents of Jeffreys Bay to join them. They say residents should form a united front to take action against maladministration and looming financial chaos.

Dr Barry Vosloo

JBRPA Vision

Dr. Barry Vosloo, Chairman of the JBRPA, says it is their overall vision to keep an eye on municipal affairs as an independent organisation. Their goals include the following: to be aware of municipal actions; to strive for the kind of municipal service delivery to which residents are entitled under the Constitution; to inform residents of the activities of the Association on a continuous basis; to consult widely and to encourage residents to identify with the JBRPA. Vosloo says membership is growing daily but they are in the process of developing a strategy to increase membership.

Identity still developing

Vosloo says the JBRPA is in the throes of defining its corporate identity and its Constitution needs to be fleshed out in a number of areas. “The Management Committee recently committed to interaction with the Kouga Municipality that is consistent with time-honoured negotiating principles. In fact, effective negotiation is characterized by the parties working together to find a solution. We are acutely aware that the attitude that one takes in negotiation sets the tone for the interaction. For example, if one is confrontational, one will have a fight on one’s hands!” he added. He admits that more aggressive measures should be taken, with the approval of members, in the event of negotiations with the Kouga Municipality breaking down. However, they have resolved not to resort to a rates boycott at this stage.

Management Committee

The Management Committee is made up of volunteers. They are

• Dr. Barry Vosloo (chairman), 
• Dennis Richmond, (vice-chairman),
• Japie Bosch (secretary/blogmaster), 
• Pollie Marx (town planning), 
• Johan Thiart (IDP and municipal budget) and 
• Henda Thiart. 

Their immediate need is to co-opt a number of qualified and knowledgeable residents onto the management committee. They have thus far identified three areas of expertise that would add value to the association's service to the community. They are engineering, law, and tourism/environment. Dr. Vosloo appealed to residents to contact him should they want to contribute or offer their assistance.

General Meeting

A general meeting of the JBRPA will be held at 18:30 on 29 September 2010 at the Jeffreys Bay Tennis Club. The purpose of the meeting is to interact with members with regard to the activities of the management mommittee since the AGM in February and to obtain their support for the road ahead. One of the issues that will be tabled is whether all residents in the geographical area should automatically qualify as members of the JPRPA. Vosloo emphasised that the JBRPA is not aligned with any political party. Nor are they concerned with the political affiliation of its members.

Website active

They invite residents to contribute actively on their website (www.jbayratepayers.com). Apart from a variety of regular postings dealing with the activities of the JBRPA, the blog also includes an overview of the history of Jeffreys Bay. Membership of the JBRPA is R40 per annum. Membership fees are solely used to pay for administration expenses. You can become a member by phoning Johan Thiart 042/296-1976 or e-mail him at jbvanjb@gmail.com.