Ferlon Christians, ACDP Western Cape Leader
MEDIA RELEASE
26 February 2014
ACDP today found it distressing that that such unruly behaviour was allowed to be exhibited and condoned today.
The image displayed, especially in front of the public gallery which had school children present, shows the sorry and sad state that Local government politics in the CoCT has reached.
The African Christian Democratic Party today found it distressing that that such unruly behaviour was allowed to be exhibited and condoned today. It is clear that both the ANC and the DA disregarded protocol and decorum and showed total disrespect for the Speakers position and the institution of the Council.
The image displayed, especially in front of the public gallery which had school children present, shows the sorry and sad state that Local government politics in the CoCT has reached. Cllr Christians the ACDP caucus leader described it as reaching “Gutter level”.
The DA’s approach to presenting the budget was an election ploy and the ANC although having a strong argument, totally disregarded respectability and tolerance for others.
The ACDP does not and never will condone such behaviour and process.
For more information contact Ferlon Christians, ACDP Western Cape Leader, 0767852335
Media enquiries: Gaynore Cele, Media Liaison Officer, ACDP – Provincial Parliament, Tel: 0728776443 or Email: gaynore.cele@gmail.com
Wednesday 26 February 2014
Thursday 3 October 2013
Control of Undertakings/liquor sales
SPEECH
Demi Dudley Cllr
The ACDP welcomes regulation’s which address the social impact of liquor trading hours while curtailing any negative impact on job losses and the economy.
It must be noted though, that damage to the Family unit is our priority as the consequences are crippling both socially and economically. Broken homes, destroyed lives and people prevented from being bread winners
undermine any attempt to improve or sustain the economy. It is reasonable to then say or consider, that an integrating strategy regulating the consumption of alcohol, the selling of it through the formal and informal market, its availability and the onus on an individual to display a reasonable amount of personal responsibility are all factors which need to be considered.
Although the new by-law attempts to deal with many socio-economic issues in a fair and competent manner, at no stage must we as custodians lose sight of our responsibility to ensure that the “ Outlets or distributors “ don’t bend the rules in order to increase consumption and profits to especially minors or people who are incapable of drawing the line when enough is enough.
The African Christian Democratic Party respects and understands the concerns of a broader Christian and Muslim community who would like to see stronger restrictions with regard to the sale of alcohol on Sundays and other Religious Holy days, but although these regulations may not be as far reaching as some would like, they still go a long way to help contain the potential for domestic and public violence and abuse that extended hours of sale of alcohol facilitate.
Finally, the ACDP certainly supports the recommendation that the by-law be authorised for further public participation and encourage all stakeholders, be they the Church, Organisations of other Faith, welfare institutions, Civic and Ratepayer groups or even private individuals to take ownership of the proposed by- law and to express their views.
Demi Dudley Cllr
The ACDP welcomes regulation’s which address the social impact of liquor trading hours while curtailing any negative impact on job losses and the economy.
It must be noted though, that damage to the Family unit is our priority as the consequences are crippling both socially and economically. Broken homes, destroyed lives and people prevented from being bread winners
undermine any attempt to improve or sustain the economy. It is reasonable to then say or consider, that an integrating strategy regulating the consumption of alcohol, the selling of it through the formal and informal market, its availability and the onus on an individual to display a reasonable amount of personal responsibility are all factors which need to be considered.
Although the new by-law attempts to deal with many socio-economic issues in a fair and competent manner, at no stage must we as custodians lose sight of our responsibility to ensure that the “ Outlets or distributors “ don’t bend the rules in order to increase consumption and profits to especially minors or people who are incapable of drawing the line when enough is enough.
The African Christian Democratic Party respects and understands the concerns of a broader Christian and Muslim community who would like to see stronger restrictions with regard to the sale of alcohol on Sundays and other Religious Holy days, but although these regulations may not be as far reaching as some would like, they still go a long way to help contain the potential for domestic and public violence and abuse that extended hours of sale of alcohol facilitate.
Finally, the ACDP certainly supports the recommendation that the by-law be authorised for further public participation and encourage all stakeholders, be they the Church, Organisations of other Faith, welfare institutions, Civic and Ratepayer groups or even private individuals to take ownership of the proposed by- law and to express their views.
Monday 30 September 2013
Desalination Technical Tour
SPEECH
Demi Dudley Cllr
It was with utter disbelief and disappointment that I noted the stance taken by our Executive Mayor regarding a proposed technical study tour regarding water desalination schemes in Australia.
It is common knowledge that within the next 50 years, water will be worth its weight in Gold and that the CoCT has for some years now not only been researching the value of desalination, but is currently and actively in the midst of a feasibility study. My understanding, is that Australia in 2006, saw the need to expand their water options and with weather patterns changing , ideal coast lines and exceptionally good quality sea water with the correct levels of nutrient ingredients, they put in large water systems in major Cities.
What we have to gain by conducting this visit now, is that it will be conducted in conjunction with the consulting engineers who assisted the Australians. Not only will it be an ideal opportunity to network with and extract information from the appropriate consultants and professionals who were in the initial planning
stages right through to completion, but it is an intricate part of the City’s thesis. Although the urgency for the CoCT to develop its desalination capabilities are not as urgent as it was a few years ago and the fact
that we have other operations we can develop such as underground sources and water reclamation yields, it is still crucial that we continue with the desalination phase in order to be able to complement our over-all water structure. Australia rushed in and made a few mistakes which we will be able to avoid and not only save time but money.
The proposed visit was to assist our engineers in the assessment and compilation of
crucial and correct information to make sound decisions which can only really be accessed by obtaining shared information. Our coast line and cold currents are very similar to the Australian model and the quality of seawater and nutrient ingredients equally as good . If anything untoward happens in the way of droughts, seismic activity or even changing weather patterns, we in the CoCT need to be in a position to put desalination plants into position quickly and by conducting this study, we as a City will be able to fast-track the process and benefit by learning from the Australians mistakes to make the project even more financially viable.
Madam Executive mayor, I sincerely request that you re-consider and rescind your initial decision to disallow the study tour to take place. For the sake of our future water stability in the CoCT, allow the two officials to conduct their study trip and complete the feasibility study.
The trip needs to go ahead!
Demi Dudley Cllr
It was with utter disbelief and disappointment that I noted the stance taken by our Executive Mayor regarding a proposed technical study tour regarding water desalination schemes in Australia.
It is common knowledge that within the next 50 years, water will be worth its weight in Gold and that the CoCT has for some years now not only been researching the value of desalination, but is currently and actively in the midst of a feasibility study. My understanding, is that Australia in 2006, saw the need to expand their water options and with weather patterns changing , ideal coast lines and exceptionally good quality sea water with the correct levels of nutrient ingredients, they put in large water systems in major Cities.
What we have to gain by conducting this visit now, is that it will be conducted in conjunction with the consulting engineers who assisted the Australians. Not only will it be an ideal opportunity to network with and extract information from the appropriate consultants and professionals who were in the initial planning
stages right through to completion, but it is an intricate part of the City’s thesis. Although the urgency for the CoCT to develop its desalination capabilities are not as urgent as it was a few years ago and the fact
that we have other operations we can develop such as underground sources and water reclamation yields, it is still crucial that we continue with the desalination phase in order to be able to complement our over-all water structure. Australia rushed in and made a few mistakes which we will be able to avoid and not only save time but money.
The proposed visit was to assist our engineers in the assessment and compilation of
crucial and correct information to make sound decisions which can only really be accessed by obtaining shared information. Our coast line and cold currents are very similar to the Australian model and the quality of seawater and nutrient ingredients equally as good . If anything untoward happens in the way of droughts, seismic activity or even changing weather patterns, we in the CoCT need to be in a position to put desalination plants into position quickly and by conducting this study, we as a City will be able to fast-track the process and benefit by learning from the Australians mistakes to make the project even more financially viable.
Madam Executive mayor, I sincerely request that you re-consider and rescind your initial decision to disallow the study tour to take place. For the sake of our future water stability in the CoCT, allow the two officials to conduct their study trip and complete the feasibility study.
The trip needs to go ahead!
Sunday 29 September 2013
Chelsea Flower show
SPEECH
Demi Dudley Cllr
Speaker
The merits of the City of Cape Town becoming an exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower Show in England lends itself to interesting reading with our participation in 2014 supposedly benefiting many people….
The questions however, which immediately come to mind though are ; who will benefit from our participation? How soon will they be able to benefit from such an investment and just how beneficial will
this all be to the people of Cape Town?With the number of needy people growing daily and the City
already exhausting every opportunity to draw tourists to our beautiful City, surely rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest horticulturists in the world doesn't trump a long-term solution and meet the needs of our citizens in a more sustainable manner and not only by the means of tourists.
With the expertise of our officials within our City Parks portfolio, I am certain that if it was high on our priority list, we could host a Cape Flower show in conjunction with Kirstenbosch botanical gardens and not have to go to the extreme expense of sending a team to England for 14 days every year. In fact, why we would want to compete in an exhibition in which South Africa as a country already participates and has been extremely competitive and successful, beats me!
No Speaker, City Parks has a lot still to achieve and produce for the Children of Cape Town in so far as safe, efficient and beneficial play grounds and parks. The DA administration needs to rank this project in their list of priorities particularly in relation to other City Parks projects and convince this chamber what analysis has been done in terms of the Rand and Cents spinoff today. Furthermore how can this request be justified and how will it truly make a long term difference in the lives of disadvantaged citizens who need
change and assistance now?
Is this what the people really want or need right now? If spending an excessive amount of money for a privileged few to have some fun in the English sun can’t be justified as a viable proposition, I suggest we shelve this recommendation and move on….
Demi Dudley Cllr
Speaker
The merits of the City of Cape Town becoming an exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower Show in England lends itself to interesting reading with our participation in 2014 supposedly benefiting many people….
The questions however, which immediately come to mind though are ; who will benefit from our participation? How soon will they be able to benefit from such an investment and just how beneficial will
this all be to the people of Cape Town?With the number of needy people growing daily and the City
already exhausting every opportunity to draw tourists to our beautiful City, surely rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest horticulturists in the world doesn't trump a long-term solution and meet the needs of our citizens in a more sustainable manner and not only by the means of tourists.
With the expertise of our officials within our City Parks portfolio, I am certain that if it was high on our priority list, we could host a Cape Flower show in conjunction with Kirstenbosch botanical gardens and not have to go to the extreme expense of sending a team to England for 14 days every year. In fact, why we would want to compete in an exhibition in which South Africa as a country already participates and has been extremely competitive and successful, beats me!
No Speaker, City Parks has a lot still to achieve and produce for the Children of Cape Town in so far as safe, efficient and beneficial play grounds and parks. The DA administration needs to rank this project in their list of priorities particularly in relation to other City Parks projects and convince this chamber what analysis has been done in terms of the Rand and Cents spinoff today. Furthermore how can this request be justified and how will it truly make a long term difference in the lives of disadvantaged citizens who need
change and assistance now?
Is this what the people really want or need right now? If spending an excessive amount of money for a privileged few to have some fun in the English sun can’t be justified as a viable proposition, I suggest we shelve this recommendation and move on….
Thursday 26 September 2013
ACDP Council representation walked out in solidarity!
MEDIA RELEASE
Cllr Demetrius Dudley, ACDP
26 September 2013
Today the Provincial / Caucus Leader of the African Christian Democratic Party Cllr Ferlon Christians called for his fellow ACDP Councillor, Cllr Gerald Siljeur to stand in Unity with Cllr Demetrius Dudley who was unfairly told by the Speaker to leave the Chambers. Consequently because of the perceived unjust order, the entire ACDP Council representation, walked out in solidarity. The DA Speaker, Ald Dirk Smit, unfortunately accused the ACDP Whip of unruly behaviour to which he was denied the opportunity to respond.
In fact, Cllr Dudley was attempting to rectify a decision that the Speaker made publically on our behalf of which he had no legal or constitutional right to do. Cllr Dudley tried on a few occasions to be heard even requesting a point of clarity, but to no avail. After the Speaker made his ruling, The Caucus Leader Cllr Christians then attempted to interject and explain the true stand and vote the ACDP was attempting to lodge. Sadly, ALD Smit, in a bullying manner which has been witnessed on several occasions in the Chamber previously, chose to also ignore his appeals.
The ACDP notes with concern that this attempt by the Speaker to shut the Christian voice down is now becoming prevalent. In fact, Cllr Christians also brought it to the Speakers attention, that a request from the ACDP to have council tapes listened to in order to clarify if a Mayco member had cast dispersions on the ACDP’s Leadership was in fact said… Our request was ignored and once again we had to make the request.
For more information contact Cllr Demetrius Dudley, ACDP, 08249547878
Media enquiries: Gaynore Cele, Media Liaison Officer, ACDP – Provincial Parliament, Tel: 0728776443 or Email: gaynore.cele@gmail.com
Cllr Demetrius Dudley, ACDP
26 September 2013
Today the Provincial / Caucus Leader of the African Christian Democratic Party Cllr Ferlon Christians called for his fellow ACDP Councillor, Cllr Gerald Siljeur to stand in Unity with Cllr Demetrius Dudley who was unfairly told by the Speaker to leave the Chambers. Consequently because of the perceived unjust order, the entire ACDP Council representation, walked out in solidarity. The DA Speaker, Ald Dirk Smit, unfortunately accused the ACDP Whip of unruly behaviour to which he was denied the opportunity to respond.
In fact, Cllr Dudley was attempting to rectify a decision that the Speaker made publically on our behalf of which he had no legal or constitutional right to do. Cllr Dudley tried on a few occasions to be heard even requesting a point of clarity, but to no avail. After the Speaker made his ruling, The Caucus Leader Cllr Christians then attempted to interject and explain the true stand and vote the ACDP was attempting to lodge. Sadly, ALD Smit, in a bullying manner which has been witnessed on several occasions in the Chamber previously, chose to also ignore his appeals.
The ACDP notes with concern that this attempt by the Speaker to shut the Christian voice down is now becoming prevalent. In fact, Cllr Christians also brought it to the Speakers attention, that a request from the ACDP to have council tapes listened to in order to clarify if a Mayco member had cast dispersions on the ACDP’s Leadership was in fact said… Our request was ignored and once again we had to make the request.
For more information contact Cllr Demetrius Dudley, ACDP, 08249547878
Media enquiries: Gaynore Cele, Media Liaison Officer, ACDP – Provincial Parliament, Tel: 0728776443 or Email: gaynore.cele@gmail.com
Wednesday 11 September 2013
Negotiation not Violence!
Cllr Demi Dudley of the ACDP calls for Petrol attendant strikers to call their unions to order. Negotiation is the order of the day and not violence. Families still need to be fed and business must still go on. The narrowmindedness of the unions to call for strike action is not only destructive but irresponsible. We acknowlegde the usefuless of unions but how many lives must it take to get a point over. It seems that the norm today is to accept that the loss of property and the lives of the innocent and even workers is acceptable for a cause which often starts out as just but ends up a forgotten cause because of the co-lateral! We dont need another Marikana. We need decent wages and fairness for all roll players. For the government to stand back and allow their co-operative partners to take our economy apart brick by brick is disgraceful and tantamount to collusion or fear! I also appeal to business to negotiate on good faith, keeping workers concerns as a high priority.
Wednesday 28 August 2013
TR&S Name Change
Speech
Demi Dudley Cllr
28th August 2013
Speaker
The African Christian Democratic Party in essence has no problem accepting the recommendations before us today, however whilst we acknowledge that the Transport for Cape Town By-Law comprises of nine functions consolidated under one structure to facilitate the development of an interoperable transport administrative structure, no- where is it mentioned what will become of the Stormwater contingent! If provision can be made for Stormwater to remain under the auspices of TCT , this would be preferable however, if this indeed does happen then we cannot afford to allow this vital department to fall between the cracks. Furthermore, Stormwater’s budget will need to be separated from that of the TCT…. If one reviews the current TR& S budget , you find that the two departments are linked and it is extremely difficult for Councillors to ascertain what has been spent on maintenance or on capital improvements in Stormwater!
On the other hand, in reality, TCT has the potential to become so huge that Stormwater could be lost in the process. Another recommendation which could be quite feasible, is for Stormwater to operate on its own. Local drainage, Bulk drainage and the Environmental department are all hugely important to the welfare of
Cape Town and Climate change and storm patterns need to be part of the thought process otherwise, the number of those affected by next season’s rains, including the CBD, could grow significantly. There is room for the Stormwater Department to grow and operating on their own would not only give them the recognition, but the encouragement to come into their own. In closing, I presume that after this item has been agreed on, Stormwater will still remain under the umbrella of TCT, however I urge this Council to decide on Stormwaters’ fate soon so that whatever changes need to be made can be done so expeditiously and with the bigger picture in mind.
Demi Dudley Cllr
28th August 2013
Speaker
The African Christian Democratic Party in essence has no problem accepting the recommendations before us today, however whilst we acknowledge that the Transport for Cape Town By-Law comprises of nine functions consolidated under one structure to facilitate the development of an interoperable transport administrative structure, no- where is it mentioned what will become of the Stormwater contingent! If provision can be made for Stormwater to remain under the auspices of TCT , this would be preferable however, if this indeed does happen then we cannot afford to allow this vital department to fall between the cracks. Furthermore, Stormwater’s budget will need to be separated from that of the TCT…. If one reviews the current TR& S budget , you find that the two departments are linked and it is extremely difficult for Councillors to ascertain what has been spent on maintenance or on capital improvements in Stormwater!
On the other hand, in reality, TCT has the potential to become so huge that Stormwater could be lost in the process. Another recommendation which could be quite feasible, is for Stormwater to operate on its own. Local drainage, Bulk drainage and the Environmental department are all hugely important to the welfare of
Cape Town and Climate change and storm patterns need to be part of the thought process otherwise, the number of those affected by next season’s rains, including the CBD, could grow significantly. There is room for the Stormwater Department to grow and operating on their own would not only give them the recognition, but the encouragement to come into their own. In closing, I presume that after this item has been agreed on, Stormwater will still remain under the umbrella of TCT, however I urge this Council to decide on Stormwaters’ fate soon so that whatever changes need to be made can be done so expeditiously and with the bigger picture in mind.
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