Eda Barnard has just joined the Drakenstein Municipality’s team as new executive director of public safety. This is a brand new directorship within the municipality to tackle safety and security.
“Barnard brings 23 years of experience to the field of local governance, having worked in all three spheres of government, with a significant tenure at the Western Cape department of local government,” said Seraj Johaar, executive director of corporate and planning services.
Her career 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 at the Western Cape government.
Barnard’s most recent role was that of chief director of performance monitoring and support at the Western Cape department of local government and her experience includes 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,” according to Johaar.
In addition to this, Barnard also managed several strategic provincial projects on behalf of the department, such as the management of Covid-19 fatalities, where she formed part of the 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. The safehouse focuses on providing safety and relief to women, 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,” Johaar continued.
Barnard holds a master’s degree in administration from the University of the Free State.
“Drakenstein Municipality currently employs five executive directors in total, which includes Barnard. Her total-cost-to-employer remuneration package falls in the range of R1 242 662 to R1 669 319,” Johaar said. Eda has the following key responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and management of the public safety functional area in the organisation.
- Develop and maintain constructive working relationships with key stakeholders, for example the private sector, other spheres of government as well as other industry bodies.
- Execute decisions of the political structure, for example for Mayco members.
- Advise and guide the strategic management team (SMT) on functional matters related to the public safety department.
- Manage public safety services by ensuring the fire and traffic services, law enforcement, security and disaster management are available to the public.
