5 April 2024
Councillor Stephen Korabie has been elected and sworn in as the new Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality at a Special Council meeting held earlier today (5 April 2024) in the Wellington Town Hall.
A Proportional Representative (PR) Councillor for the Democratic Alliance (DA), Councillor Korabie received 36 votes in his favour, while the only other candidate, Councillor Keagan Gertse, representing the GOOD party, received 27 votes. There were no spoiled votes.
A seasoned politician and community leader with a career spanning 35 years, the announcement of Councillor Korabie's election by Speaker Alderman Koos le Roux sparked a loud and lively applause and singalong from the councillors as well as a standing ovation from the public gallery.
Following his election, Deputy Executive Mayor Alderman Gert Combrink, adorned him with the mayoral robe and chain.
Councillor Korabie has been serving as a PR Councillor for Drakenstein Municipality as well as the Cape Winelands District Municipality since 2022. He holds a BA degree and a BA Honours degree in criminology at the University of South Africa, as well as a master's degree in public administration at the University of Pretoria.
He is vastly experienced in the field of correctional services – from starting as a Correctional Officer in 1977 to holding the position of Regional Commissioner: Correctional Services (Western Cape) in 1999. During his tenure at the Department of Correctional Services, he achieved a Gold Cross award for outstanding service.
Having the auspicious inauguration occasion taking place in Wellington was more than appropriate, as this is where the newly elected Executive Mayor grew up, went to school and resides today with his wife, Odette, children and grandchildren.
“I used to pass this beautiful hall in this beautiful town and sit under the trees outside to shield me against the harsh sun. Today I am honoured and deeply humbled as the little boy who grew up here, to stand in this hall and be sworn in as Drakenstein's first citizen," he said in his maiden speech.
The Executive Mayor thanked the community for preparing him for this position over 35 years and his family for patiently sharing him with the community. “You have taught me the value of compassion and that is what I will give back to you," he said.
Holding values such as integrity, honesty and discipline in high regard, Councillor Korabie said the baton had now been passed onto him for taking Drakenstein Municipality, “one of the greatest and most beautiful cities", to even greater heights. The Municipality was recently rated the Number One Secondary City for good governance in South Africa by the research and advocacy non-profit organisation Good Governance Africa in the Governance Performance Index (GPI) report of 2024. Since 2008, it has achieved 16 consecutive unqualified audit opinions from the Auditor-General of South Africa, of which nine were clean audits.
The Executive Mayor continued to say: “We will not tolerate corruption or poor governance."
Quickly dubbed as the “father of Drakenstein", also by Drakenstein's opposition party leaders, he said he would be “the mayor of the people, walking the streets, and taking care of business".
He said: “We need to engage and listen to our citizens. We need to create a society where all citizens, farmers and businesses participate in the business of the Municipality. We will unite as a people and, together, we will search for answers and solutions. We have to take hands and, together, grow this Municipality from strength to strength.
“In Drakenstein it must be easy for both small and big business to do business in Drakenstein, within the law. We need to cut red tape and provide a one-stop desk for investors."
The Executive Mayor further said: “We have to acknowledge our poorer areas and people, and make every effort to change their situation for the better. They are our people. We need to clean up the informal settlements. As citizens, we can all start by cleaning the area and environment around our homes."
Speaking about the importance of safety and security, Councillor Korabie said one should not underestimate the power of sport in stamping out crime and keeping Drakenstein safe. “We simply have to find alternatives for our youth, and take care of our children, senior citizens, and homeless."
He said the current Mayoral Committee would remain in place until he has had the opportunity to duly consider which councillors would be fit for purpose to lead Drakenstein into this new era. He would also be reaching out to the municipal area's nine opposition parties and firmly acknowledge their watchdog role.
“The people of Drakenstein deserve the best and I want to make sure you get just that," the Executive Mayor concluded.
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