Western Cape Business 2020 edition

INTERVIEW
Cape Winelands
District Municipality
Executive Mayor Dr Helena von Schlicht wants
to see economic development linked to the
creation of healthy and resilient communities.
Executive Mayor Alderman
Dr Helena von Schlicht
Biography
Dr Helena von Schlicht honed
her skills during a 24-year career
in higher education. After earning
her doctorate, she worked
as Head of Department, Social
Work, at the Huguenot College
in Wellington. In this capacity,
she was involved in the writing
and implementation of policies.
She transferred to the political
arena in 2009 and became a
member of the Mayoral Committee
in 2011. She has been
Executive Mayor since the election
of September 2016.
How is a District Municipality different to other municipalities?
The CWDM is one of five district municipalities in the Western
Cape. The focus is to identify and grow opportunities for social and
economic development.
We are a highly functional municipality, a fact proven by five
consecutive clean audits received, the successes achieved by the
Fire Services, Municipal Health Services and the recently signed
partnership with Santam to address risk reduction in communities.
The CWDM, together with our partners in tourism, recently
celebrated being named one of the Top 10 Value-for-Money
destinations in the world by Lonely Planet.
Add to this the vast open spaces, hospitable people, fauna
and flora, agricultural sector, wine industry, fine cuisine and
opportunities for grand adventure. This all echoes what Cape
Winelands tourism stakeholders believe: “A thousand things to do
and then some wine...”
How do you promote local economic and social development?
The planning and funding of projects is determined by our
Integrated Development Plan. We will not develop economically
if we do not have an efficient, healthy and resilient community.
Programmes supported include Early Childhood Development,
sports development and seed funding for young entrepreneurs.
Courses are offered for disabled persons in customer care.
The Department of Municipal Health Services checks that our
restaurants and other food production spaces are compliant which
enables visitors and tourists to consume hygienically prepared
meals, which helps to grow our economy.
How do you understand “social health”?
Economic development depends on the social health of our citizens,
and we must address both issues at the same time. We want to
empower people and enable them to enter the economy, create
jobs, support their families and contribute to the overall prosperity
of society. When someone has a strong and healthy sense of social
cohesion, it’s easier for them to participate in the economy.
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