Bluff councillor resigns to take on exciting ventures
Councillor JP Prinsloo extends his sincere appreciation for all the relationships he has built with community members and organisations.
AFTER serving the Bluff community as its public representative for the past four years, councillor JP Prinsloo has taken the decision to down his tools and call it a day.
“In the best interest of my family and our new business I have had to make the difficult but necessary decision to dedicate all my time to my personal, family and business life. I will be moving to Howick in the Midlands. We have started a hydroponic growing business so I will be doing that full time. I’ve also started a fitness venture that I will be running at the same time.”
He admitted that the Bluff had faced some of the most challenging times during his tenure. “These include two major storms and the current international pandemic. But, working together we managed to overcome many of these obstacles. The incredible generosity and kindness shown by the community of the Bluff in times of need is one of the most heart-warming experiences I have been privileged to experience.
“We have also in the last four years made some great strides in achieving the goals set at the beginning of my term. Most of the goals included getting the basics right, building community structures, becoming more accessible to the public and setting the foundation for the future development of the Bluff. Although the declining state of the country and municipalities across the country has made things difficult and at times seem impossible, we have nonetheless made positive strides in many areas.”
“Some of the things that I am most proud of include achieving an international tourism award and becoming a preferred tourism destination, multiple infrastructure upgrades, the building of the Wentworth Youth centre, Bluff beach upgrades, formulating developmental plans for the Bluff community (precinct development, Showgrounds and VR Park development) and providing employment and development opportunities for hundreds of Bluff residents. There is so much more that we have achieved together,” he said.
Prinsloo extends his sincere appreciation for all the relationships that he has built with community members and organisations. “All these relationships have over the years strengthened my life personally and professionally. I think it would be important for me to thank certain people for their extraordinary assistance and dedication. Individuals that have gone above and beyond in their responsibility to the community and I am extremely grateful for this. Zoe Solomon, Elmarie Bowden, Helga Du Preez, Andy Rossell, DTIPO (particularly Bongani Damane and Lungelo Ntombela), Charles Leaven, and Chris Van Niekerk. I would also like to thank my office assistant, Thembi, who has assisted me greatly.”
Prinsloo’s resignation will take effect on 30 September. In the next few months a by-election will be held where the Bluff community will be able to vote for their new ward councillor. Due to Covid-19, he cannot confirm dates at this time, but it would most likely be before the end of the year.
“My parting political message is to not let small political parties and interest groups decide your future and the future of the community based on fear and an idea of separate development. The Bluff, like many parts of South Africa, is diverse in many respects (not just race) and deserves political leadership that is honest, progressive, hardworking and aims to build unity and not sew division along social constructed lines.”
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