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​ ​​​Public Safety and Community Services

                      

​​Executive Director: Public Safety and Community Services​
Eda Barnard


Eda Barnard is Executive Director: Public Safety and Community Services from 1 November 2023.

Barnard brings 24 years of experience to the field of local governance, having worked in all three spheres of Government, with a significant tenure in the Western Cape Department of Local Government.

Her career also includes five years of service in National Government, where she provided hands-on support to at-risk municipalities across South Africa, followed by her tenure in the Western Cape Provincial Government.

Barnard’s most recent role was as Chief Director of Performance Monitoring and Support at the Western Cape Department of Local Government.

 

Executive Director: ​Public Safety and Community Services
Eda Barnard

Her expertise spans various areas, including municipal governance, knowledge management, infrastructure development,

basic service delivery, and municipal support and training.​​


​In fulfilling these responsibilities, Barnard was responsible for the management of grant allocations to municipalities
in the Province, as well as donor and stakeholder mobilisation and management in support of the Department of Local 
Government's mandate, where she served as Senior Manager.

In addition to her core mandate, Barnard managed several strategic provincial projects on behalf of the Department, 
such the manageme​nt of COVID-19 fatalities, where she formed part of Province’s Core Disaster Risk Response team.​

Barnard also worked closely with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to initiate a safehouse network in the Overberg, 
after its first safehouse in Bredasdorp proved successful as result of the dedication of the NGO and other role players. 
The safehouse focuses on providing safety and relief to woman, children, and other vulnerable individuals. 
Working closely with the NGO, Barnard facilitated private and public investments in this facility, assisting to shape it 
into one of the notable success stories of its kind. This is a flagship project in the Joint District and Metro Approach (JDMA) initiative, 
as pioneered by the Department.

In enhancing public safety and community services, Barnard designed a holistic Integrated Response Strategy for the Province to plan for and manage land 
invasions and other incidents, with the cooperation and support of key stakeholders.
Her contributions have contributed to supporting and enhancing the functionality and resilience of municipalities in the Western Cape Province.

Eda holds a Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of the Free State.


Functional Overview

This department consists of the following sections:​​


Public Safety

  • ​Traffic Services

  • Law Enforcement 

  • Fire and Rescue


​Community Servives

  • ​​Community Development

  • Community services - Administration

  • Community Services - Municipal Services

  • ​Protection Services ​​​​





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