In order to connect and familiarise Newcastillians with various Municipal heads from around KwaZulu-Natal, the Newcastillian – Online News interviews the people you should know within your local government entity, thereby empowering you with the knowledge of who is managing your local municipality. In this article, Newcastle’s Acting Municipal Manager, Vish Govender, takes the spotlight.
As an established, well-known personality throughout the community, holding a long history with the municipality, Govender begins by saying, prior to joining Newcastle Municipality, he worked at Ethekweni Municipality from 2000 until 2003. Thereafter he states, “I joined the Newcastle Municipality on 1 October 2003, as a horticulturist.”
Through determination, he rapidly moved through the ranks, becoming a Senior Horticulturist and then eventually Divisional Head. Submerging himself further within the local municipality, Govender eventually became the Director of Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries before taking various seats such as Acting Director of Community Safety and Acting Manager of Waste.
Working for the Newcastle Municipality for 18 years, and as one of the longest-serving Directors in the local government entity, sporting 14 years of experience, as well as being the Strategic Executive Director for Development Planning and Human Settlements, Govender is a man who has embedded himself within the local government sphere.
Reflecting on his journey, the Acting Municipal Manager points out that things have changed tremendously within the municipality since being first appointed. He explains that when he first started, the Newcastle Municipality initially only serviced Newcastle West. The transition of incorporating Newcastle East, including Osizweni, Madadeni and Charlestown, only came after the Demarcation Board rezoned the town’s borders, thereby making Govender one of the few municipal officials still around, who has witnessed Newcastle become what it is today. This is something he is exceptionally proud of, as he was able to be part of Newcastle’s rich history.
Furthermore, speaking on transformation, Govender states, when he first began his journey within the local government entity, there was not as much red tape as there is today—stating, finances are much more controlled today than several years ago, showcasing the municipality’s growth and development.
Having been involved in government for 21 years and now serving Newcastle as the Acting Municipal Manager, Govender emphasises, “The City Manager post is a serious one and it is an honour to have been appointed as Acting Municipal Manager. While it is a position which one must take when given an opportunity, one should never accept the post for the title. It is not a ceremonial post.”
He explains that as Municipal Manager, one needs to apply extensive elbow grease. Furthermore, with him coming from a background where he was constantly in the field, Govender feels he is ideally suited for his position, bringing a balance of fieldwork and admin to the table, using his knowledge to create a new definition for a Municipal Manager.
He continues by saying that he has established several task teams to enhance service delivery within Newcastle over the past five months, highlighting his desire to bring about a new era. However, he reminds Newcastillians that local government should be participatory. “When I say participatory, I mean that the Newcastle Municipality cannot do it alone. The community needs to work together with us, to be a part of the government of the day, rally behind each other and respect one another.” It is only through this and working hand in hand, putting our differences aside, that Govender believes the Newcastle community can reach new heights and overcome its challenges.
With a bit more insight into the Newcastle MM, be sure to look for the following interview with a public servant head from around KwaZulu-Natal.
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Wow!! what a great leader with vision, he had change so many things within a short period of time when acting as a Municipal Manager, to mention but few, courage to come to work , late coming. He recognizes every effort one contributes at work place. He is a true leader who is ambitious & a wish to upgrade other colleagues as well. I wish him all the best!!!