GOOD Statement by Ricardo van der Merwe,
GOOD Saldanha Bay Councillor
09 June 2026
On Tuesday, Deputy Executive Mayor Thyrone Williams and Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Ricardo van der Merwe represented the GOOD party at a special municipal function held in the Council Chambers, alongside Executive Mayor Ald Marius Koen.
The event marked the official handover of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across the Saldanha Bay municipal area. This initiative is designed to bridge the digital divide from an early age, providing local educators and young learners with the tools necessary for modern foundational learning.
This initiative highlights the tangible successes of the current coalition government in Saldanha Bay. By working collaboratively with our coalition partners, the DA, the GOOD party continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to grassroots community development.
“Our participation in this coalition is driven by a desire to deliver real, measurable progress to the people of Saldanha Bay,” said Deputy Executive Mayor Thyrone Williams. “Equipping our ECDs with ICT infrastructure is an investment in the future of our children, ensuring they are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.”
The GOOD party firmly believes that social justice begins with equal access to quality education and development opportunities. Today’s handover proofs that when governance focuses on service delivery rather than politics, local communities win.
Through this joint effort, the GOOD party reaffirms its pledge to:
• Uplift local youth by creating better environments for early learning.
• Support ECD practitioners with the resources they need to deliver high-quality formative education.
• Foster constructive coalition governance that prioritizes the needs of residents above all else.
The GOOD party will continue to work diligently within the Saldanha Bay Municipality to ensure that resources are directed where they are needed most uplifting our learners, supporting our youth, and building a fairer, more prosperous community for all.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za