IEC's new leader in the Western Cape

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - The local government elections in October will be led by a new provincial electoral officer in the Western Cape, Michael Hendrickse.

The former senior national manager for electoral operations was appointed in February.

He takes over from Rev Courtney Sampson, who has retired after 21 years of service to the Independent Electoral Commission as provincial electoral officer.

Hendrickse said he is very happy to be back at the provincial office where he worked many years ago, before he filled a position on national level. "I obviously stepped into a well-run machine that had stable leadership for the last 20 years. I have also worked extensively with Rev Sampson before." The handover period took place during February.

Elections and Covid-19
Hendrickse said the local government elections are generally highly contested and said the IEC remains very aware of the Covid pandemic. "We have instituted a number of measures during the recent ward by-elections to protect the voters and IEC staff," said Hendrickse.

"The IEC also tracks the spread of the virus, such as the warning of the third wave, and its operations will have to respond thereto. The IEC will await report from retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, who has been appointed by the Electoral Commission to review whether the local government elections should go ahead due to the challenges the country is facing because of Covid-19."

Meanwhile, the IEC is preparing for the elections and will institute all Covid protocols, said Hendrickse. "We will make sure everything is in place."

A national registration training boot camp took place last week, while a provincial registration training boot camp is underway this week. "We already started the process of recruiting registration officials and will start training during June," said Hendrickse.

Family time
Sampson, a reverend in the Anglican church, is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Glenda, their grandson, Edan (2), his son Ryan and his daughter-in-law, Janine.

"My hope is to visit some of our beautiful national parks," said Sampson.

While enjoying a break away with his wife in Arniston last weekend, Sampson led a church service at the Anglican church. The Sampsons currently live in Parow and frequently visit their cottage in Langebaan.

As a former Boland athlete, Sampson has also been involved with Boland Cricket for the last three years, serving on the social and ethics committee.

"Now, during my retirement, I will be able to pay more attention to it," he said.

Rev Courtney Sampson has retired after 21 years of service in the Independent Electoral Commission as provincial electoral officer. Photo: Michelle Pienaar