Tag Archives: Ilse van Schalkwyk

Big Shops Destroying Knysna’s Infrastructure

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Big shops and big trucks are destroying Knysna Municipality’s infrastructure. Pedestrians and drivers aren’t safe until Pick ‘n Pay and Checkers get control over delivery vehicles. Why are they seemingly allowed to obstruct roads and park on pavements with impunity? The situation at Pick ‘n Pay, on the corner of Long and Rawson Streets is sometimes severe. In the holidays, trucks totally took over the walkway and blocked traffic so that pedestrians dodged offloaders and cars took dangerous chances, overtaking in the wrong lane. What drove me over the edge … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Last Knysna Council Meeting Very Controversial!

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Today produced more Knysna political and municipal insanity. SO MUCH OF IT. I’d promised myself not to attend meetings or blog about Knysna politics for 3 months but made a last moment decision to go because it’s traditional for big issues to appear at year end. In my experience, our politicians know that residents are distracted by the holidays – the heat of most issues will vanish over season. Another Acting Municipal Manager has quit. Bevan Ellman, who is supposed to also be the Director of Corporate Services is quitting … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Minister & Mayor in Knysna Tender Scandal

Mike Hampton Posted on by

For two-and-a-half years, the DA-led Knysna Municipality has supported a seemingly illegal tender award that will determine the future of its 72 000 citizens. The ISDF (Integrated Strategic Development Framework) is meant to be the blueprint for Knysna for the next 30 years. It determines everything from where development will be permitted and infrastructure spent. If rumours are true that Knysna is a test case for the Western Province, then the implications are far greater. Despite loud opposition from the public, the DA and the Municipality have been determined to … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Our Future: Best ISDF News of the Year for Knysna!

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Best news of the year for Knysna! It involves the ISDF, that crummy plan to control the future of Knysna for the next 30 years. It was a 5-hr council meeting today. Susan Campbell, the activist was there for half of it. Before she left, she handed out copies of a provincial report that she obtained through the Public Protector, the report that Minister Anton Bredell wouldn’t give us for a year. It’s damning. It’s proof that it was whitewashed and that the tender award needs to be shot down … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Knysna’s Economic Growth Officially Smaller

Mike Hampton Posted on by

“We are very cash-strapped at the moment which is why we need private partners.” – Ilse van Schalwyk (Knysna Manager for Economic Development) Don’t get bored. The next two paragraphs translate into ‘HOW TO FIX KNYSNA’S ECONOMY’. At the Section 80 Governance meeting held in Knysna’s Council Chambers yesterday, Ilse van Schalkwyk, the Manager of Economic Development, delivered a presentation in preparation for the submission of the revised Economic Development Strategy (EDS) which falls under the ISDF (Integrated Strategic Development Framework). The goal of the EDS is to “collectively create … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Environmental Groups Object 6: Conflicts of Interest in Knysna

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Today is the longest read and will hopefully give you thought for the week. Major points below would be that Knysna Creative Heads Consortium did not tender the lowest price. And, as previously mentioned, the adjudicator of the bids used to manage the George branch of Urban Econ, a partner in the Knysna Creative Heads Consortium. Additionally, Chris Mulder was a client. How this was allowed to pass makes one wonder who the Knysna Municipality is truly serving – not us, for sure!

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The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!