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DONDERDAG 28 MEI 2015
Meetings unruly Marti Will
councillor then needs to convene a ward committee meeting. The ward committee will have discussions and this will be reverted back to council. Only then will public consultative meetings take place. Once this has been concluded, the findings must go back to council. The meeting in Thabong on Thursday (21/05) was chaotic, as was the meeting in Welkom on Friday evening (22/05). Welkom’s meeting changed venue twice without any of these changes being officially advertised by the proponents (provincial government). Many Welkom residents were confused when they arrived at an empty TS du Plessis Hall. It eventually took place in the Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre. The chairman of the meeting said that residents would be diverted to the theatre. This apparently did not happen. The meeting in the theatre was attended by some 200 emotional residents and included pioneer figures like Ferdie Meyer, Aubrey Nyschens and Ian Auret. The residents were treated with disdain and disrespect by the committee governing the meeting.
THE provincial government does not have the mandate or authority to change street names in a town or city. The public consultation meetings held in Thabong and Welkom last week were in contravention of national legislation in this regard. Dr Jan Marais, chairman of the DA caucus, says the whole process followed thus far is invalid. “Street name changes is a municipal matter, and there is a thorough process which must be followed before any changes can take place,” says Marais. Municipal regulations stipulate that an individual first needs to propose a name change. This individual then has to be identified to the public. The individual must publicly state why the specific name was proposed. The proposer must also supply an in-depth cost implication analysis of the street or building name change. When this process has been completed the ward councillor directly affected by the proposed name change must be notified. The
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Emotions ran high and residents attempting to speak were told to shut up and sit down. None of the pioneers, or even members of the public, were given a turn to speak. “The meeting was out of order. There were 12 rabble rousers sitting behind me. They were loud, offensive, disrespectful and aggressive. They had obviously been planted there to create chaos,” says the 94-year-old Nyschens. “This issue is being bull-dozed by political bullies. There is nothing restorative about it. I hereby note the official protest of the Matjhabeng Ratepayers Association (RPA) against the way in which this process is being dealt with. I will take this matter to the Supreme Court if needs be,” says Nyschens, deputy chairman of the RPA. Residents of Thabong and Welkom say this is a political game being played by Mathabo Leeto. “Elections are around the corner. She is trying to score points. We need our living conditions and service delivery to be addressed before we will look at name changes,” they say. “Spend the money where it is needed.”
Committee’s allegiance questionable
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DENISE JOOSTE, Welkom: REFERRING to the community meeting held in the Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre on Friday (22/05) regarding the changing of street names in Welkom, the following: It must be noted that the writer of this letter does not oppose the changing of street names, but is rather opposed to the manner in which it is being approached and implemented. The name-changing committee presents itself as apolitical, but this committee’s racial and political petticoat is showing in an unashamed manner. Every name change motivated is to a main route into our city, and the proposed names are only reflective of people from a select ethnic racial grouping. There is not one single name that infers so-called restorative justice to the other previously disadvantaged people in the coloured
riewe etters
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and Indian communities. Apolitical, I believe not. It suits the ANC-driven committee to control and regulate the transformation of the political, economic and social landscape of our region (and country) by presenting one demographic factor, namely race, as the basis for transformation and justice. Other justified grounds for transformation like leadership, economical contribution, competence and dignity of racial groupings other than African are blatantly ignored and undervalued in this matter. This was apparent during the meeting. The chairman wanted to summarily end the meeting when matters became too “tough” for him. The audience prevented this.
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Two cadres then swooped down on a coloured woman who was speaking and shouted at her to sit down. For the chairman to admit that a process like street name changes is emotional, but then to not show maturity when addressing these emotions, deprives others of openly expressing their feelings. When emotions are oppressed it creates a breeding ground for violent actions. Selective transformation is acceptable for this “apolitical committee”. It was clearly stated by a cadre from the audience that the suggested ten names would do the thing for them to transform the city. I strongly oppose this twisted sense of restorative justice. This is not reconciliation. I am saddened by the arrogant way in which the committee is doing its work. Instead of allowing different communities to take hands and work together the sins of the past are repeated. – Letter translated and shortened – Ed.
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GOODNESS MAKAU is the winner of Welkom’s Got Talent 2015. This year’s competition was stiff, and the talent was exceptional, but Goodness’s pure voice was victorious. She received her R20 000 cash prize and other gifts on Saturday (23/05) evening at the Goldfields Mall. Read more on p. 10
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