After the 14 day period for implementation, 29 municipalities in the Western Cape now have Executive Mayors. The outstanding municipality is George and its Amendment notice has been published in a Provincial Gazette Extraordinary. After Thursday 26 June 2003 the George Municipality will have the opportunity to implement the system within 14 days by means of an official decision at a council meeting.

The executive committee system, where it existed, has now been replaced by an Executive Mayor system combined with the Ward committee system which will enhance participatory democracy in local government. The Executive Mayor is now the individual with the strategic and political responsibility.

The municipalities in the Western Cape must be congratulated with the manner in which they have accepted and implemented the new dispensation in local government. It is indeed with satisfaction and a sense of pride that we have embraced this new system in the Western Cape.