What is in a name - Pretoria vs Tshwane

William Shakespeare immortalised the words : “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet.” This is Juliet’s response to Romeo regarding her feelings for him and not his name. Real life is not as forgiving as is this lyrical tale of “Star cross’d” lovers.

The ANC appear to have an issue of pride at stake. Despite the insufficient public participation in the proposed name change Vanity is driving this name change which makes no sense. Today the Tshwane council has to adopt a revised budget due to the dramatic under-performance of the ANC to effectively govern and deliver services to the residents of the Metropolitan council. Yet despite calls by many cultural groups in this Metro to concentrate on service delivery, the ANC feels it politically necessary to enter into Smoke and Mirrors techniques once again to mislead their own supporters. Pride is driving this. They have stated to the world and FIFA that the host City is Tshwane, as they were proved wrong they feel the need to ignore the massive costs and public opinion on the topic.

Motivation for the name change is that Pretoria was the seat of Apartheid. Well the entire country was responsible for Apartheid. Why not bulldoze the Union buildings, the seat of Apartheid whilst at it then? This would be as tantamount to fruitless and waistless expenditure as is the proposed name change.

Having recently watched the movie “Invictus” I was once again amazed at the leadership and character of Nelson Mandela. Why can’t his successors concentrate on the lessons taught and attitude of this great man. Had Mandela been like the current leadership of the ANC then this country would not be in such a wonderful position as it currently is.

The majority of the residents are indifferent to the name Tshwane but many are passionate about Pretoria. Why not consult more on this issue? Perhaps my counterpart in the ANC, Mr Spatla Ramokgopa should go and watch the movie again.

Our region can not afford this expensive exercise in vanity. The ANC does not need this fruitless action to prove a point. Our region needs understanding of each others difference and past but most importantly it needs respect for the respective cultures and history.

In the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s example I will be seeking a meeting with Mr Ramokgopa to express the contrary views of a large portion of our residents. I wish to explore the win-win situation which currently exists under the existence of the City of Pretoria which falls part of the Metropolitan Council of Tshwane. Before we as a Party formally are forced to raise objections and follow other legal processes to the recommendation of the South African Geographical Names council and the apparent “matter of course” approval by Arts and Culture minister, perhaps logic can prevail. The ANC government structures are even attempting to consolidate the Towns of Bronkhorstpruit and Cullinan into the Metro of Tswhane. Consider the utter confusion to all residents never mind international visitors. Consider the waisted effort when our residents are not being serviced. Consider the frustration and poverty of so many residents. Then consider the vanity.

Brandon Topham

Chairman of the DA Gauteng North Region

ENTREPRENEURAL DEVELOPMENT TO COUNTER THE INTERNAL WAR AGAINST CRIME

ENTREPRENEURAL DEVELOPMENT TO COUNTER THE INTERNAL WAR AGAINST CRIME

In South Africa we have many problems and most residents are frustrated beyond explanation. This frustration has even led ordinary members who are normally quite happy to go with the flow, to say enough is enough, things have to change. People are beginning to ask what should I do to make a difference, to make a change which will bring about a positive improvement? Where do I bring my efforts to bear? Is it crime? Is it AID’s? Is it corruption? Or is it one of the many other phrases which we use to classify problems in society? What is causing the unhappiness and grief in South Africa?

Many will tell you that poor and inefficient government has to accept responsibility for the shortcomings resulting from failure to deliver clean, focused and effective administration. If government is the cause then we as the people who have elected our administrators need to ask where should government start to correct the problems? Is it not true that most problems in South Africa today have their root in the poor macro socio-economic environment in which troubled communities are found? Poor education and the lack of understanding of how economies should work are the key drivers for socio-economic disaster. In most parts of our country people live in disaster zones. Man made catastrophes which rub off on surrounding communities and which have infiltrated the entire society in which we live.

Many things which our parents teach us are forgotten as we struggle on the journey of life but one thing which will always stay in my head are the words of my father ”…they can take away everything form you but no one can take away your education.” These were amongst his regular admonishment to myself to ensure that I study harder. At the time when you have the opportunity to learn most people take it for granted and we don’t understand how lucky we are.

How are we to provide this “better life for all” promised to the people? How do we build a country which resembles that promised by the Constitution? Economic development and education as core solutions to the problems which we face. In our open opportunity society we realize that all of our residents need to be assisted to help themselves. People who can not provide for their families and whose dignity has been lost as a result, can not be productive law abiding citizens. When governments have repeatedly failed to up-skill citizens, to provide opportunities and motivation for citizens to provide for themselves, then that country will be faced by internal war. The war between law abiding citizens and criminals, the war between those who have and those who want more.

In an attempt to provide the motivation and the broad understanding of what is required to reverse the socio-economic degeneration in our country the Democratic Alliance in this region have brought entrepreneurial development workshops to residents. We are opening the eyes of people who have been indoctrinated into a world where government must provide and showing how as ordinary citizens we need to take ownership of our own circumstances in-order to find a way to provide for yourself.

The skills of an entrepreneur are applied in business, government and in non public benefit bodies. The skills are used whether you own your own business or if you are employed in a large corporate environment. We believe that by exposing and providing residents with these skills during these workshops we will be able to make a small impact which we can build on during 2011 as the new administrators of local government in this Democratic Alliance region. Residents who wish to participate in these workshops and or volunteer to assist in bringing about positive change in South Africa can contact our regional office for more information.