Executive Mayor: Memory Booysen
A father of three daughters, Memory Booysen was born in 1969 in Hankey in the Eastern Cape. He is the fifth child of the John and Buyiswa Booysen. His father passed on in 1980, and his mother lives in Kwanokuthula.
After he passed matric he studied for Higher Diploma in Education at the University of Western Cape. He then went to Hotel Management at Wits Technikon. He worked in the hotel industry, mainly at Southern Sun group, for 12 years.
Having been involved in community development issues for some time, Mr Booysen became the Personal Assistant to the Mayor in 2002. He was first elected to the Council in 2006. He topped the DA list for the 2011 elections and was subsequently voted the Executive Mayor on June 6, 2011.
Mr Booysen is aware that he has assumed a position that comes with a lot of responsibilities from him and expectations by the community. He is determined to lead and work with all other Councillors to make Bitou the best run municipality in the Western Cape and the country. He wants the community of Bitou to live the municipality’s Vision ‘to be the best together’. He is inspired by seeing people waking up in the morning going out to do some work to better their lot. He is aware that decision he takes as a person impacts on his values and as a leader he is determined to be exemplary to both the community he leads and the workers of the municipality.
He draws his inspiration from his mother who sacrificed much to ensure that her children get the best the life and education she could afford. His mother is his best critic and advisor.
He is an avid follower of the life and leadership of Barack Obama. He believes that the people of Bitou and South Africa can rise from the ashes of despair and be a great nation. In particular, he believes that the youth must be given special attention as they are the future of this country.
Mr Booysen invites all members of the Bitou Community to play active role in their governance. The municipality has existing forums for community participation and he hopes to improve on their effectiveness and create new ones where necessary so that every member of the community could feel to be part of the a changing and developing Bitou.
