Simon Grindrod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Simon Grindrod is the leader of the Independent Democrats' City of Cape Town caucus, a PR member of the Cape Town City Council, and a subcouncillor for Subcouncil 1 (Blaauwberg). He is also a member of the mayoral committee for Economic and Social Development and Tourism.
Simon Grindrod in brief:
Grindrod is a City of Cape Town Councillor and National Deputy President of the Independent Democrats. He was the Independent Democrats’ Mayoral Candidate in the Cape Town Metro during the Local Government Elections of 2006.
He currently serves as the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development and Tourism and has the additional responsibility for Arts & Culture, Property Management and Informal Trading in Cape Town. He sits on the board of the Khayelitsha Community Trust in addition to the committees of several other community initiatives.
He joined the political arena after a 15 year career in the hotel industry.
He was elected as a City Councillor in March 2006. He served on the Finance Portfolio Committee, the Sub-Council Boundary Committee and the Blaauwberg Sub-Council.
Grindrod has tabled Draft Policies on Informal Trading, Events and Film production which will come before full Council for adoption in this year.
His Department has responsibility for City interests in Wesgro, Cape Town Tourism, Cape Film Commission, Convenco and Calling the Cape, which is an initiative driving growth in the call centre industry in Cape Town.
Known for is straight forward and no-nonsense approach, he heads up several key projects, through his department, including the rejuvenation of the informal trading sector, currently contributing over R1billion to the City economy.
Simon is happily married to Lee-ann Grindrod.
'Quote from Simon Grindrod on what makes a good politician: "I think we need more people in politics who understand that citizens are customers. The same traits that make any person effective in life, makes an effective politician: time management, common sense and an understanding of how to achieve objectives through consensus and joint effort. I become very disillusioned when politicians seek support by using race, class or gender to divide communities against each other. I really hope people start voting on issues as our democracy matures and not in terms of their own prejudices. Have you noticed that in South Africa we vote AGAINST a party, not for one?"
