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Mayor supports Parl move to Pretoria

March 11, 2016 5:12 pm by: Category: Africa & World, Local, National, NEWS Leave a comment A+ / A-
MayorSIMBA RUSHWAYA
Pretoria Bureau
PRETORIA – THE City of Tshwane (Pretoria) Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, has criticised parties opposing the relocation of Parliament to the city.
President Jacob Zuma made the proposal during his State of the Nation Address saying the cost of maintaining two capitals was too high.
Some opposition parties are opposing such plans arguing moving the National Assembly from Cape Town would be costly considering the prevailing economic challenges.
However, Ramokgopa welcomes the proposal by the president.
“We believe that the relocation of Parliament to our city (Pretoria) constitutes a massive spatial reconfiguration and a redefinition of the South African political outlook intervention ever witnessed since 1994, when we designated our nine provinces, adopted the national flag and Anthem,” he says.
“We note that the same arguments against relocations are based on the perceived cost implications, and are raised by those who condemned and continue to challenges, the renaming of our municipality from Pretoria to Tshwane, the renaming of our streets and the installation of any heritage features and symbols which redefines the political outlook of our country.”
Ramokgopa says the capital city has been “economically eclipsed” by other cities in the province.
“Although many capitals are defined by constitution or legislation, all our long-time capitals have no legal designation as such, they are recognized as capitals as a matter of convention, and because all or almost all the country’s central political institutions, such as government departments, supreme court, legislature and embassies, are located in or near them.”
Tshwane houses the official seat of government, the Union Buildings and embassies.
Ramokgopa says relocating Parliament to the city will bolster economic performance and enhance administrative functions.
“A well-designed and well-executed move (of Parliament) could bring economic opportunities and government services to the people. Relocation of a capital is an act rife with symbolic import. New capitals or existing towns radically refashioned into capital cities are designed to highlight the place of the state in the modern economic and political world.”
The mayor says relocating Parliament will “redefine a new South Africa.”
“For this reason, all South Africans must join and express our outmost appreciation on the call made by President Zuma for a national dialogue on the relocation of Parliament to the Capital City.”
Solly Msimanga, the Democratic Aliance (DA) mayoral candidate for the city in the forthcoming elections, is sarcastic in his response.
“President Zuma made the proposal thinking that Tshwane will still be in the hands of ANC, but come August the city will be in DA’s control, so I welcome the idea as the incoming Mayor of Tshwane,” says Msimanga.
He adds, “As a concerned citizen I’m only worried about the fiscal impact of the project. I’m talking about if it is affordable or not.”
According to press reports, transferring Parliament will cost R7 billion from the state coffers, but save the country between R500 million and R750 million a year in future.
ANC’s Gauteng spokesperson Tebogo Joala, is cautious although he welcomes the move.
“While we welcome this as Gauteng and Tshwane residents, we must look at the impact it creates on our economy as a country,” says Joala.
“There is no doubt that Pretoria is the best place where parliament must be situated but we should not be myopic in the way we do things. We should consider other economic effects of this move because as a country we should minimize costs because it will be exorbitant to rebuild houses for Parliamentarians residing in Cape Town,” adds Joala.
– Guardian
Mayor supports Parl move to Pretoria Reviewed by on . SIMBA RUSHWAYA Pretoria Bureau PRETORIA - THE City of Tshwane (Pretoria) Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, has criticised parties opposing the relocation of Parliame SIMBA RUSHWAYA Pretoria Bureau PRETORIA - THE City of Tshwane (Pretoria) Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, has criticised parties opposing the relocation of Parliame Rating: 0

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