Calm has been restored and the R43 between Stanford and Gansbaai has been reopened after a day on which the stretch of road was intermittently closed as a result of protest action in the vicinity of the Stanford Industrial area.
Overstrand Municipality confirmed early this morning (Wednesday 10 September) that the road remains open to traffic.
This comes after a public meeting between aggrieved members of the Stanford community, representatives of the Stanford business community and the Overstrand Municipality represented by Executive Mayor Archie Klaas, Deputy Executive Mayor Elnora Gillion and Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill.
The Land Party said in a statement that Land Party Head of Elections Councillor Kholiswa Ngqandana, Ward 6 councillor Vuyisani Bandeza and the Land Party Treasurer-General, Zoliswa Mkhapheni, were also involved in the meeting during which several grievances were discussed and undertakings agreed on.
One of the main bones of contention that led to the protest action in Stanford on Tuesday 9 September was the community’s grievances about businesses reportedly preferring to appoint foreign nationals.
The following undertakings were agreed on:
1. The Stanford Business Community would refrain from appointing any further foreign nationals.
2. That Overstrand Municipality will visit the Stanford Community Hall today (10 September) to assist the community in compiling an unemployment database. O’Neill stated that this list will be shared the Business Community to guide future appointments.
3. The Business Community will launch a CV drive to assist individuals in drafting their CVs. Dates will be confirmed in due course.
4. Two attending business owners committed to providing five permanent job opportunities with immediate effect.
5. The municipality will make a monetary contribution to the CPF for an additional 16 job opportunities during the Stanford in Bloom Show.
6. The community was urged to assess their reasons for the protest as well as the need for further action.
7. A joint committee comprising representatives from the Business Community, the local community and the municipality will be established.
8. The community will compile a list of all non-compliant businesses and farms, which will be submitted to the departments of Home Affairs and Labour for inspection and further action.
The Land Party stated it acknowledged that the community, despite successes achieved, remained concerned.
