Tag: Patricia de Lille

City of Cape Town obtained interdict against squatter protest

Cape Town, danger lurks here...
Cape Town

The City of Cape Town obtained a court interdict preventing the city’s informal settlements’ organisation from holding a march, said mayor Patricia de Lille.

The march was scheduled to take place on Friday.

She said the order was obtained as a last resort on Thursday, Sapa reported.

De Lille said she did not want to see a repetition of the disorder last month, when protesters claiming to be part of a service delivery demonstration looted shops and vendors’ stalls, and damaged property in central Cape Town.

“One of the senior leaders of the group and ANC councillor in the City of Cape Town Loyiso Nkohla is quoted in today’s media reports saying that: ‘… we will only stop the march if a court of law says so,'” said De Lille.

She said the group’s application to march was not approved because of evidence indicating that it could disrupt vehicular and pedestrian traffic, result in injury to people, and possible damage to property.

On Thursday, the police said they were fully deployed for the march.

“There will be heavy police deployments in the CBD as well as areas of congregation for the marchers,” said Colonel Tembinkosi Kinana.

Kinana said air support would be deployed if required and warned that protesters who broke the law would be arrested.

Barack and Michelle Obama receive freedom of Cape Town from DA

Michelle and Barack Obama

A United States embassy official received a scroll on Friday giving the freedom of Cape Town to US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, Mayor Patricia de Lille said.

She said the decision to award the freedom of the city to the Obamas was adopted by a majority vote in council last year.

“[It] is the highest honour that the city of Cape Town can confer on individuals who have made a significant contribution to Cape Town, South Africa, and the world in their respective fields.”

The scroll was accepted earlier on Friday by acting US ambassador Virginia Palmer.

De Lille said the Obamas had already accepted the honour and the only “outstanding issue” was to conduct the handover of the scroll.

The African National Congress in the province said at the time that the presidential couple should not accept the award.

“To us this is nothing other than a diversion and I think it would be a pity if Obama accepted the award from a city that doesn’t care about the poorest of the poor,” ANC secretary Songezo Mjongile told the Cape Times at the time.

The Democratic Alliance, which leads the city, hit back at the accusation.

“The facts show that the DA-led city of Cape Town delivers better quality services to more poor people than any other metro in South Africa,” DA spokesman Mmusi Maimane said.

“The city of Cape Town offers the most comprehensive and generous package of free basic services to indigent residents of any metro in the country. This is a fact.”

De Lille said on Friday that Michelle Obama travelled to Cape Town last year as part of a broader outreach to Africa and had brought with her the “uplifting example of achieving the extraordinary”.

She said they were both worthy recipients for the “inspiration” they had been to the world.

“It is my hope that their example will forever be a reminder that where there is hope and perseverance, and where we are fuelled by the courage of our convictions, even the unimaginable is doable.” – Sapa

Democratic Alliance renames Cape Town road after Steve Biko

NY1 Gugulethu
The NY1 in Gugulethu was rebaptised Steve Biko by the DA

The NY1 road in Gugulethu, Cape Town, was officially renamed Stephen Biko Drive on Monday.

The renaming process was in line with Biko’s philosophy, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said in a speech prepared for delivery on Heritage Day,

This was because it replaced terms from the past, associated with inferiority, with names associated with power.

In the old road name “NY” refers to “native yard”.

“… What was unique in South Africa and the Black Consciousness movement was the mobilisation around asserting agency in the face of history… for freedom,” De Lille said.

This involved breaking down the “mental prison” built through semantic means to emancipate the minds of black South Africans.

“Like many great prophets telling difficult truths, Steve Biko was murdered for his ideas… [and] the power of his revolution.”

Naming the road in his honour was an apt tribute, as it would give power to future generations by doing away with terms associated with historical injustice.

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“…This is the change of a reconciliation programme that tries to shape a better future from a divided past.

“It is by building, brick by brick, the Cape Town of tomorrow that truly belongs to everyone,” De Lille said. – Sapa