The chief operating officer of the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (VRCID) will take part in a prestigious fellowship in New York next month.
The International Downtown Association (IDA) chose Derek Bock as one of 30 top professionals to take part in the 2018 Emerging Leadership Fellowship.
The others hail from Canada and America.
Alumni of the programme, which was launched in 2016, are fast becoming sought-after leaders for the future of city building worldwide, according to David Downey, president and CEO of the IDA.
“This is the only programme of its kind created specifically for urban-place-management professionals,” said Mr Downey.
“IDA is looking to further illustrate the importance of our industry by elevating leaders with the necessary skills to champion inclusive city building.”
The experiential programme brings together IDA professionals from within the urban-district-management industry for a week of training.
Hardus Zevenster, chairman of the VRCID board of directors, said they were proud of Mr Bock for being selected to take part in the fellowship.
“Mr Bock has been involved with city improvement districts in Cape Town since 2002 and this is just reward for his efforts. Not only will Cape Town benefit from his time spent there but Bellville and Parow as well. This is a well-deserved achievement for Mr Bock for all his hard work and dedication.”
Mr Bock said “one is never too old to learn” and the fellowship was “a great opportunity to learn best practice from other cities in the US and Canada”.
He would also be able to shine a light on the VRCID’s work.
“Bellville and Parow need not stand back for anyone. I am very honoured to be selected to attend this fellowship,” he said.