Having spent his entire adult life in public service, in the very true sense of the term, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Dan Plato, has over the years developed a track record which speaks for itself.
His integrity and commitment to serving the community, as well as his vast wealth of experience are indisputable. As a dedicated ward councillor serving the areas of Belhar, Uitsig and Ravensmead, Dan was and continues to be committed to social upliftment and poverty alleviation.
As you know, he has already served as mayor of Cape Town, and served with distinction, leaving the City of Cape Town on a high note having been part of the team that hosted the very successful 2010 Soccer World Cup, and with Cape Town having been rated best-run city in SA (by the Department of Cooperative Governance).
He went on to become the provincial minister of Community Safety and again, his successes speak for themselves. He has been incredibly active in communities across the province, but particularly in the drug-ridden communities of Cape Town. He has implemented innovative new crime fighting programmes and projects, one of which is his well-known Walking Bus programme to keep school children safer.
For eight consecutive years his Department received a clean audit award and for three years in a row it was nominated as the Best Run Provincial Department in South Africa. Not only does this speak to his impeccable integrity, but also to his ability to lead and lead well.
Upon announcing Dan as mayor-elect, DA Leader Mmusi Maimane said:
I know he will put his heart and soul into this City that he loves so much, as he has always done.
He will unite, he will lead, and he will deliver. I am sure you will all join me in wishing him the best of luck in his new, but not entirely new, role as mayor of Cape Town.