“Hon. Govindranath Gunness, Minister of National Infrastructure

Hon. Christian Harold Richard Duval, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Darmarajan NAGALINGUM, Minister of Youth and Sports

Hon. John Michaël Tzoun Sao Yeung Sik Yuen, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection

Hon Mrs Anishta Babooram, Junior Minister of Health and Wellness  Hon. Govinden Pynivel Venkatasami, Deputy Chief Government Whip Hon. Khushal Lobine, Member of the National Assembly and Leader of Nouveaux Démocrates

Hon. Members of the National Assembly The Chief Executive, Mrs Toolambah Narsinghen Deputy Mayor, Mrs AMI Marie Diana Municipal Councillors

Members of the Local Government Service Commission:

 

–      Ms. Woomadevi Cootthen-Iyempermal

–      Mr Soobir Sen Sewnath, Member

Senior Advisers and Advisers of different Ministries

Heads of Departments,

Members of the Press,

Members of the Police force

Distinguished guests

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

All protocol observed

Good evening,

 

I welcome you all to this Special Council Meeting convened today for the election of a Mayor.

 

 

Today is a day of honour, gratitude, and responsibility for me as I officially take oath as Mayor of the Municipal Town Council of Curepipe. I would also like to sincerely thank the outgoing Mayor, Mr Daneshwar Bissonauth, for his dedication and service to our town. I will ensure continuity in the important programmes and initiatives already undertaken, while also bringing my own vision, energy, and personal touch to further contribute to the development and progress of Curepipe.

 

For the very first time in Curepipe, two women are at the head of the municipality. This is a strong and symbolic moment for women in leadership and for young girls who aspire to enter politics.

 

And for this progress in women\’s representation, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Government and especially to our Prime Minister AND TO MY PARTY WHO HAS ALWAYS STRUGGLED FOR THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS.

 

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE INDEPENDENCE, LALLIANCE DU CHANGEMENT HAS PROPOSED 7 WOMEN OUT OF 10 IN THE 5 TOWNS FOR MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR POSITION AND THIS IS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS.

 

2) I am also fully aware that one year is a very short mandate.

This is why today, I will not stand before you making unrealistic promises.

Instead, I want this mandate to be remembered for meaningful actions, practical initiatives and genuine human impact.

One thing I strongly believe in is that municipalities today cannot function with old methods only.

It is high time for us to think outside the box.

Development is no longer only about roads and buildings. Development is about ideas, about partnerships. It is about involving everyone around the table.

This is why I want the Municipal Council to work in close collaboration with private entities, NGOs, socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions, and community groups. Because together, we can create opportunities that government alone cannot always achieve.

Public-private collaboration can help us modernise our town, support our youth, promote entrepreneurship, improve our environment, and bring fresh ideas into local governance.

One of my priorities will also be the revival of the centre of Curepipe. The town centre is the heart of our municipality, and today we must honestly acknowledge that “La Gare du Sud” cannot remain in its current state. It needs to be cleaned, washed, repainted and restored. But this is not something the municipality should do alone. I strongly believe in partnership and community collaboration. Curepipe is fortunate to have many colleges, talented students, artists, and private entities who would certainly be willing to join hands with us to transform this space. I would love to see students and local artists painting murals and artworks on the facades, bringing colour, creativity, and life back into the centre of our town.

Through these initiatives, we will not only beautify Curepipe, but also create a stronger sense of belonging and civic pride among our people.

 

At the same time, we cannot ignore the reality faced daily by the sellers of “Square Bruce”.  These hardworking men and women contribute greatly to the economic life of our town, yet many continue to work in difficult conditions, exposed to rain, cold weather and strong sun. They deserve better. They deserve a safer, cleaner and more dignified place to work. This is why one of my objectives during this mandate is to ensure their relocation to the Narco Building, so that they may finally benefit from improved and more secure conditions.

 

The major scourge drug- is increasingly destroying families, breaking homes, and pushing many young people into dangerous paths, with long-term consequences for our society. This is not a challenge that the municipality can address alone. It requires the clear intervention and responsibility of the Mauritius Police Force, who are mandated to enforce the law, protect citizens, and take firm action against drug-related activities in our communities.

 

As Mayor, I will seek their full support and ensure that this matter is treated with the seriousness it deserves. I also intend to meet with the Commissioner of Police to request stronger presence, more decisive action, and better coordination within Curepipe. Our citizens expect safety, and it is the duty of the relevant authorities to deliver it.

 

3) Another issue that requires continued attention is the growing concern of rats and sanitation challenges, not only in Curepipe but across Mauritius as a whole.

 

As a municipality, we must continue strengthening our efforts through regular cleaning and maintenance of drains, rivers, roadsides and canals, alongside improved waste management and sanitation measures. Greater collaboration with Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Mauri facilities will also be essential in ensuring that preventive actions are carried out effectively and consistently.

 

4)  One of the causes that is particularly close to my heart is environmental sustainability.  Curepipe is known for its natural beauty, its greenery, and its freshness. We have a duty to preserve that identity.

But environmental protection must go beyond speeches and symbolic campaigns. We need creativity, innovation and awareness.

I would like to encourage projects based on recycling and environmental transformation.

 

Public spaces can be enhanced through the creative use of recycled materials, with old tyres transformed into benches, flower pots, playground features, and artistic installations. Such initiatives will not only beautify our town, but also promote environmental awareness, particularly among young people, by demonstrating that sustainability begins with simple actions.

Through these efforts, Curepipe can become a model of innovation and sustainability for other towns to follow.

 

5) A clean town is not built only by municipal workers.  A respectful society is not built only by laws.

 

This is why civic education is extremely important.

We need to reconnect citizens with civic responsibility — respecting public spaces, protecting the environment, supporting community initiatives, respecting one another, and understanding that every citizen has a role to play in society. Real change begins with mentality.

And I believe that if we educate our youth properly, we are already building a better tomorrow.

6) In the same spirit, entrepreneurship must also be promoted strongly.

There are many small entrepreneurs, artisans, creators, and hardworking individuals in our town producing remarkable products and services.

Sometimes, all they need is exposure. Sometimes, all they need is an opportunity.

I would therefore like the municipality to create more events, fairs, exhibitions, and collaborative spaces where entrepreneurs can showcase their products and grow their businesses.

Supporting local entrepreneurship means supporting local dreams.

7)Culture and arts are also essential pillars of a healthy society.

This is why I wish to work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, sociocultural organisations, and various stakeholders to encourage artistic development in Curepipe.

One initiative I particularly wish to support is the promotion of music classes and artistic programmes for young people.

When we speak about talent, we must recognise something important: Curepipe is full of talent.

We have talented artists, musicians, poets, dancers, athletes, and sportsmen. Many of them possess extraordinary potential, yet they often lack visibility and opportunities.

I want this municipality to become a platform for them.  A platform where local artists can exhibit their talents.

A platform where sportsmen and athletes can be recognised and encouraged.

A platform where creativity is celebrated proudly.

8) Today, I also wish to pay tribute to one of the greatest cultural symbols of our town — the Carnegie Library. At a time when our society is increasingly dominated by screens, instant content, and social media, we cannot allow our younger generation to lose touch with knowledge, culture, and critical thinking.

Our library is more than a historical building — it is a place of learning, opportunity, and intellectual development.  We have a responsibility to preserve it, modernise it, and restore its importance in the life of our community. I want the Carnegie Library to become alive again, to attract our youth, our students, and our families, and to stand proudly as a centre of culture and education in Curepipe.

 

Ladies and gentleman,

 

Above all, none of what I have outlined today can be achieved alone. The success of this mandate will depend entirely on unity, discipline, and collective effort. I will need the full collaboration of every Councillor, my Deputy Mayor, the Chief Executive, and all stakeholders involved in the administration of our municipality. But I want to place particular emphasis on those who often work behind the scenes — the workers of the municipality. They are the true backbone and the heart of Curepipe.

As Mayor, I want to remain accessible, present and attentive to the realities of our citizens.

I want people to remember that during this year:

We listened,

We collaborated,

We empowered people,

We encouraged creativity,

We valued culture,

We supported youth,

and we brought the municipality closer to the citizens.

Because politics should never become distant from people.

Before concluding, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have trusted me and supported me throughout this journey.

 

To my family, friends, colleagues, supporters, municipal staff, and the residents of Curepipe

Thank you

I also wish to place on record my sincere appreciation to the Minister of Local Government, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Commerce and especially to the Minister of National Infrastructure for the

trust, encouragement and continuous support provided towards local governance and community development.

 

Together, let us build a Curepipe that is cleaner, greener, more creative, more inclusive, and more united.

And together, let us write a new chapter for Curepipe.

Thank you very much”