Note to Editors: Please find a soundbite by Leah Potgieter MP attached here, and photos here, here and a video here
Today, the 15th of October 2024, the Democratic Alliance has submitted over 5500 objections to the renaming of Sandton Drive to the City of Johannesburg on behalf of concerned residents.
In a combined effort from national and local representatives, we have extensively engaged local business, residents, and the wider community as it relates to this proposed renaming. The majority, by a massive margin, are entirely opposed to the renaming.
Mainly, objections are as follows:
• This is a costly vanity project from a city that struggles to meet the demand for basic services;
• The City has failed to consult wide enough on the proposal, residents and those impacted are opposed;
• Should Sandton drive be renamed, it should be renamed to a South African hero, of which we have many; and
• The city must prioritise service delivery, not vanity projects.
Rightly so, the Department of Community Development has admitted that this is the most participation they have ever seen as it relates to a street renaming.
It comes as no surprise that Joburg’s community development department have stated that they do not have funds for the costly renaming of Sandton Drive and would attempt to get the transport department to pay for it. Following this recent revelation, which is both irregular and unlawful, Leah Potgieter MP, has submitted a parliamentary question to Minister Gayton McKenzie, with respect to the consultation that the City has had with his department, the costs associated, and the national/ international implications of this extremely shortsighted proposal.
Not only can the City not move budget around outside of legislated budget cycles, it has also been unable to fund critical infrastructure projects throughout Sandton, Alex and surrounds. While the ANC coalition in Joburg have the audacity to demand that money meant for basic infrastructure should be pumped into an unnecessary road renaming exercise, the DA stands firm on putting residents first.
Submissions from the financial hub of Sandton CBD reflect the obvious concerns of the private sector, which includes international hotels and large corporations that cater to business tourists as well as smaller local businesses, with properties totalling approximately R17,510,499,000 and who between them employ tens of thousands of people. Their concerns have been lodged with the City, most of which revolve around the possible strain this would place on South Africa’s diplomatic relations and the subsequent political tensions that may affect local businesses who want to be able to freely engage in lawful business practices. They also express concern over the financial impact this will have on their companies, which essentially have to offset the unforeseen costs somewhere.
It is more than evident that the City’s departments, including International Relations, Finance and Community Development, while having provided support for this endeavour, failed to properly consult both the private sector and national government before doing so. It is rather bizarre that a City trying to increase its collection rates and with a debtors book of over R57 billion is completely oblivious to the added burden this would place on the local economy and affected residents.
We will always be on the side of good governance, and the constitution. This exercise by the City is an example of failure to adhere to both the basic principles of good governance, and the constitution.