Former ANC PR councillor John Badenhorst will not return to council as a portfolio head of finance after more than 15 years in the position because he did not make the mayoral list.
But he’s not settling back into a lawn-chair just yet. “I am at peace with myself. I have spent 54 years in public service,” said Badenhorst, who served two terms as mayor in 1989 and 1990 as an independent candidate.
“There are still things to do, but I am 74-years-old and somewhere along the line I do need to retire.”
Clearly, that time is not now. First things first and he has committed to “do the jobs my wife has for me”.
His life as a political animal may not be over. “I believe I have a skill set in municipal things, being a leader in municipal finance and I wrote the first credit control and indigent policies.”
Queuing in the early morning chill at Oxford Striders in Nahoon to cast his vote along with wife Kathie, Badenhorst said he had been approached by “certain people” who plan to put together a training business in municipal governance.
“I may also do some work for the municipality, depending on whether they need my skills or not.”
His third option has nothing to do with politics. “My son in Cape Town is the part-owner of a courier company so I may do some work for him. I’d be looking at starting a branch in EL.”
He said he “felt elated” that the city’s finances were on a level that, according to Ratings Afrika, was 2% behind Cape Town. “What we have – which people doubt when they see our potholes – is R1.6-billion in the bank to replace the city’s assets. Each year for three years BCM will put R400-million into infrastructure like sewage, roads and electricity. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Badenhorst still has that fire in him
But he’s not settling back into a lawn-chair just yet. “I am at peace with myself. I have spent 54 years in public service,” said Badenhorst, who served two terms as mayor in 1989 and 1990 as an independent candidate.
“There are still things to do, but I am 74-years-old and somewhere along the line I do need to retire.”
Clearly, that time is not now. First things first and he has committed to “do the jobs my wife has for me”.
His life as a political animal may not be over. “I believe I have a skill set in municipal things, being a leader in municipal finance and I wrote the first credit control and indigent policies.”
Queuing in the early morning chill at Oxford Striders in Nahoon to cast his vote along with wife Kathie, Badenhorst said he had been approached by “certain people” who plan to put together a training business in municipal governance.
“I may also do some work for the municipality, depending on whether they need my skills or not.”
His third option has nothing to do with politics. “My son in Cape Town is the part-owner of a courier company so I may do some work for him. I’d be looking at starting a branch in EL.”
He said he “felt elated” that the city’s finances were on a level that, according to Ratings Afrika, was 2% behind Cape Town. “What we have – which people doubt when they see our potholes – is R1.6-billion in the bank to replace the city’s assets. Each year for three years BCM will put R400-million into infrastructure like sewage, roads and electricity. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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