Councillor Stephen Korabie was sworn in as new Executive Mayor on 5 April 2024. Unlike his predecessor, Conrad Poole, he is highly educated and has three degrees to his name, including a master’s in public administration.
That gives one hope, aside from the contents of his address afterwards. He said: “The people of Drakenstein deserve the best and I want to make sure you get just that.”
Well, his first 100 days in office have come and gone, and if that was the best Korabie could offer the people of Drakenstein, well, I’m afraid we are in for a tough five years. I love tennis, and in Davis Cup tennis there is something called a non-playing captain. He or she is the person who does not play, but is in a more ceremonial role.
Seems as if Korabie thinks this is his role.
But we as residents need an active player to lead us. He should be visible and vocal. It seems Korabie prefers to be the invisible man, unlike Poole who despite all his shortcomings was a very active first citizen. He was accessible and available to the people.
A proud politician uses the first 100 days in office to make an impression. What did Korabie do? Apparently the first thing he did was to take away the access of employees, who no longer report to him directly on his floor at DM’s head office.
He also arranged a meeting with the Sheriff of the Court to instruct them to get rid of the squatters in New Orleans Park.
If that is how he intends giving us the best, I don’t know….
So I ask again, Will the real Executive Mayor of Drakenstein please stand up?
