Woensdag 9 Februarie 2011
■ Music teacher Lise-
Municipal manager
stays mum over ban
Norman McFarlane
he ejection of the media
T from a meeting at the Stel-
lenbosch municipality last
week Monday (“Media ousted
from Stellenbosch municipality
planning meeting”, Bolander,
February 2) by a municipal offi-
cial, Basil Davidson, culminated
in Bolander emailing a series of
questions to municipal manager
David Daniels on Tuesday Janu-
ary 25, seeking clarity on why the
media was ejected.
Mr Daniels was unable to
respond to the questions in time
for the original deadline of close
of business Thursday, due to
bereavement in his family.
Bolander was contacted tele-
phonically on Friday afternoon
by municipal communications
manager Vernon Bower, who
undertook to get a response from
Mr Daniels on Monday January
31, by 10am, for publication with
the story.
At 10am Monday, Mr Bower
contacted Bolander and said that
Mr Daniels wanted to “meet with
you and Mr Davidson and sit
around a table and talk this out”.
Bolander declined to meet with
Mr Daniels, and reiterated the
request for answers to the ques-
tions posed.
Bolander was called a few min-
utes later by Mr Daniels’ per-
sonal assistant, who communi-
cated essentially the same
message as Mr Bower.
Bolander once more declined,
and requested answers to the
questions submitted.
Mr Bower contacted Bolander
again at about 11.45am, and reit-
erated that Mr Daniels wanted to
meet with Bolander to discuss the
matter, which Bolander once
more declined. Mr Bower made it
clear that “it would be a good idea
for you meet with Mr Daniels”.
Bolander challeng ed this
assertion, classifying it as undue
political pressure, which Mr
Bower denied on the grounds that
his appointment “is not political”.
He did, however, acknowledge
that he was speaking on behalf of
Mr Daniels, who is a political
appointment. Mr Bower then ter-
minated the call, declining to
comment further.
Bolander received an email
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reporter on the Constan-
tiaberg Bulletin, sister
paper of Bolander.
Gemeenskap Bolander 7
lotte Costandius
celebrates with
protegés and pals.
Back row, from left,
are Seaneon Rucelli,
Frances Anderson,
Dalene du Pisanie,
Melissa Hovestadt
from Mr Daniels (the first direct and Chloe Bailey. In
communication with Mr Dan- the centre, from left,
iels) on Tuesday afternoon, in are Nicodemus Olivier,
which he reiterated his desire to
meet at the “best possible time”.
Bolander once more declined,
Lise-lotte Costandius,
Tessa Follett-Botha,
Ancu van Wyk, Amina
and requested answers to the Sayed and Sky Bailey.
questions originally posed. In front, from left, are
The final (email) communica-
Jean-Pierre Beukes
tion from Mr Daniels arrived on
Thursday morning, in which Mr
and Jaco Beukes.
Daniels reiterated his desire to
meet, but now stating that “It will
take me far too long to give you a
written response to all the issues
raised in your letter.”
Wellington music teacher keeps
‘ Trinity College flag flying
His
appointment
is not
‘ Maggie Follett to solo performances by soprano
Ms Costandius, fellow music-
marks averaged out at well over
70% makes me extremely proud.”
‘political’ Wellington music teacher Lise- teacher Dalene du Pisanie (from With external music pro-
lotte Costandius and pupils cele- Table View), and Gordon’s Bay- grammes – including those offered
The questions posed to Mr brated the year’s progress at an based singer and pianist Nicode- by Trinity College and Unisa – to
Daniels are repeated below for the informal evening concert for par- mus Olivier, who doubled as MC. be phased out of the school cur-
record. ents and friends, held at the town’s Mr Olivier congratulated the riculum, due to “implementation,
● Were you invited to the AGS Church at the end of last five pupils who are enrolled, management and administrative
meeting, did you initially accept, year. through Ms Costandius, with the problems” according to Minister
and then withdraw? If so, why did The nine private pupils (who Trinity College of London. of Basic Education, Angie Mot-
you not attend the meeting? range in age from eight to 35-plus) All passed their music exams – shekga, pupils will in future only
● In your absence, was Basil demonstrated their prowess in assessed in Stellenbosch by a vis- be able to study these courses
Davidson (planning, property and piano, guitar and vocals, with tal- iting British judge – with flying through private tutors.
integrated human settlements ented young pianist Ancu van colours. “It’s another example of the
director) granted any delegated Wyk – a former pupil now study- “It’s a tremendous achieve- government putting arts and cul-
authority, and if so what was the ing music at Stellenbosch Univer- ment. Trinity is known for their ture last,” says Ms Costandius,
nature and extent of that dele- sity – as accompanist. exacting standards,” she admits, who provides tuition in singing,
gated authority? The audience was also treated “so the fact that my students’ and diverse musical instruments.
● With regard to Mr Davidson
ordering the media to leave: was
he carrying out your or somebody
else’s instructions, and if so,
whose?
● Is there a formal written pol-
icy to exclude the media from
meetings of a “planning nature”,
and could you please explain the
motivation for such a policy?
● If he was not carrying out
anybody’s explicit instructions,
and there is no such official pol-
icy, did he act within his powers?
● Did Mr Davidson have the
right to eject the media from the
meeting, and do you support his
... want the romance to last beyond
Valentine’s Day?
actions?
● If you support his actions,
what does the municipality have
to hide?
At the time of going to print,
Mr Daniels had not responded to
Bolander’s last email declining
find out how at...
the invitation to meet, and
requesting once more, answers to
the above questions.
valentine’s
OM/12/7601202
10 -17 Feb 2011
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