New blood for JBRA

Piet Liebenberg
NEWLY-ELECTED chairman of the Jeffreys Bay Residents Association (JBRA), Paul Hjul says the organisation has the potential to hugely influence development in Jeffreys Bay.
Hjul was elected chairman at the organisation's AGM last Wednesday. The previous chairman, Trevor Watkins was not available for election.
Hjul says: "I hope that, despite my youth, I will be able to build on the firm foundation on which the organisation rests. I hope to contribute towards improving the town for the residents.”
He reiterated that the JBRA is not a political party, nor is it aligned to any political party.
"The decision to invite the honourable Elza van Lingen (as guest speaker at the recent AGM) was not intended to suggest any alignment with the politics of Van Lingen. Instead the invitation was afforded to a senior office-bearer in the parliament of the republic and our provincial legislature – a person who has considerable knowledge on issues relating to this area. In previous years invitations have been extended to the mayor of the Kouga municipality – who was a member of another political party.”
Hjul is committed to ensure the purpose and duty of the JBRA is to promote and develop the community of Jeffreys Bay.
He says : "It is our job to make Jeffreys Bay a nice town, in a nice region. A nice town is an inclusive town. We have made a major stride towards enhancing our inclusivity by amending the organisation's constitution to entrench the practice of having a pool of free (non-voting) membership. We will not limit ourselves to the interests of a section of the community, or to the supporters of a particular political organisation – or religious denomination for that matter. We will continue our efforts to develop a sense of community within Jeffreys Bay and hope to see the emergence and growth of neighbouring residents' associations.”
Hjul, who has resided in Jeffreys Bay for the past seven years, gave credit to the out-going chairman, Watkins for putting the organisation on a sure footing.
"On a sad note the organisation passed its condolences to Trevor Watkins, and his family, on the passing of his beloved wife,” he added.