Dudley Coetzee Dies; Served as Executive Mayor From 2018 to 2021
Dudley Coetzee, a Democratic Alliance councillor and former executive mayor of the Overstrand municipality, has died. He passed away on Friday while serving as the Ward 1 councillor.
Coetzee served the municipality since 2009. His tenure included roles as a Mayoral Committee member, deputy mayor, and executive mayor from 2018 to 2021. During his time in office, he was known for championing responsible financial management and sustainability.
Ward 1 covers Stanford, Thembelihle, and part of De Kelders North. The cause of Coetzee’s passing has not been made public.
Tributes From Political Colleagues
Overstrand Executive Mayor Archie Klaas stated that Coetzee’s passing had come as a great shock to the municipality. In a statement, Klaas said the municipality extends its heartfelt condolences to Coetzee’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew and worked with him.
Overstrand Speaker Grant Cohen paid tribute to Coetzee, crediting him with encouraging Cohen to apply as a councillor candidate ahead of the 2016 local government elections. Cohen recalled how Coetzee convinced him to stay in politics when he wanted to walk away during that process.
"When I really wanted to walk away during that process, it was you that convinced me to stay. Thank you for the memories, the trips, the laughs and even the disagreements. When I look back on my political career, your name features strongly," Cohen said.
Mnqasela Recalls Coetzee’s Service
Masizole Mnqasela, president of the Alliance of Citizens for Change (ACC), described Coetzee’s death as a personal loss. He noted that he worked closely with Coetzee since 2014 when Coetzee served as Mayoral Committee member responsible for finance under mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie.
Mnqasela recalled Coetzee serving as deputy mayor under the late Rudolph Smith and later as executive mayor. He described Coetzee as a good man who served the community and the Democratic Alliance with humility and honesty.
The municipality stated that funeral arrangements would be announced once confirmed.