Die vestiging en uitbreiding van plaaslike bestuur in Vanderbijlpark gedurende 1952-1959

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to make a contribution to scientific historiography of this region by recording a facet of the history of Vanderbijlpark. This study concentrates on the establishment and expansion of local government in Vanderbijlpark during 1952-1959. Dr. H.J. van der Bijl (1887-1948) is regarded as the founder of Vanderbijlpark. Dr. H.J. van der Bijl 's career in the industry in South Africa, as well as the expansion of the steel industry, has been used as the point of departure, as this is the background against which the settlement of Vanderbijlpark took place. Thorough town planning in Vanderbijlpark followed after the lscor sheet mill started production in 1943. In December 1944 the Vanderbijlpark Estate Company (Vesco) was registered so as to support H.J. van der Bijl in realising his ideal. This company was responsible for town planning and establishing the necessary infrastructures. The town expanded rapidly and the residents regarded some form of local government as essential. A Vigilance Committee was established by the residents in 1943. Thereafter an appointed Health Committee followed in 1946 and in 1950 this Committee was replaced by a partially elected Health Committee. In 1952 Vanderbijlpark received full municipal status which gave it the status of a town with an elected town council. They also commenced with the establishment of a symbolism peculiar to the town's history. This manifested itself in a coat of arms. the mayor and mayoress's chains of office and the statue of Origin. The task and function of the outline for local management, in Vanderbijlpark are analysed and described in view of similar studies. Aspects which are referred to in the study is the place of local government within the government hierarchy. Definition of policy, organisation, financing, personnel administration, responsibility and management are discussed under municipal administration. Local government functions within a community, with the result that emphasis has been placed on community representation by elected council members and the election of a mayor and deputy mayor. However, the elected municipal councillors also have certain tasks and powers which come to the fore in their work, e.g. the powers of the municipal council, compiling and implementing municipal by-laws and decisions. The procedure which has to be adhered to at council meetings, and the type of management system which has been implemented, are also discussed. A municipal council also contributes its share to the community by electing representatives to public bodies and organisations, and through direct public liaison. The major task of any local government is, however, to deliver services to the community. In this respect the local government of Vanderbijlpark was unique. because it carne to an Essential-services-agreement with Vesco in 1946. According to this agreement, Vesco was largely responsible for supplying services, e.g. water and electricity supply, sanitation, maintenance of roads, pavements and drainage. the development of parks, recreation and sports grounds. Co-ordination of these services sometimes resulted in disputes between the Health Committee, the eventual Town Council and Vesco. The additional and supporting services that were supplied by the Health Committee and the eventual Town Council were the following: traffic control, licensing, health services, library services, cemetery and crematory, transport services, fire-brigade and ambulance services and the conservation of the environment. This settlement phase of local government in Vanderbijlpark lent itself to further research through describing e.g. the history of management after 1959. In the period after 1959, the responsibilities of the Town Council were expanded as the Council took over all the services after the Essential-services-agreement had been dissolved. Since 1960 •the input of constitutional developments and government commissions have also affected the development and governing of local authorities, and furthermore it also influenced the functioning of the Vanderbijlpark Town Council .