Thank you Program Director and Good day Cdes

May I acknowledge:

All ANC & Local Government leadership present led by the Joburg Chairperson and Mayor Cde Geoff Makhubu,

The Chairperson of the Demarcation Board, Cde Thabo

Manyoni

Osingaye: Cde Ambi and Cde Parks

The Faith-based organization leaders present All other guest speakers

Cdes & Friends.

I would like to start by congratulating the ANC Joburg Region leadership, for celebrating 25 yrs of democracy in local government by honouring Cde Parks & Cde Ambi in this dignified manner & for having overseen and guided the COJ over the years to deliver its mandate of:

Promoting democratic and accountable government for local communities Ensuring the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner Promoting social and economic development Promoting safe & healthy environment and for Encouraging the involvement of communities & community organizations on matters of local government through IDPs etc. We are aware of various challenges but I’ll leave these to other speakers in the interest of time.

To Bra Amos Ambi Nkosiyakhe Masondo,

We both come from a very humble township called Senaoaone, which has produced many leaders. Bra Ambi, we support the ANC Region for honoring you not only for your contribution in the 25 years of Local government but also for your freedom struggle activism From a young age as a student leader in the early 70’s t.hat led to your several arrests by the apartheid regime, including spending 6 years in detention at Robin Island.

Your struggle activism in the 1970s, 1980’s to early ’90s resulted in SANCO, COSATU & ANC electing you into various leadership responsibilities from the Soweto civic association up to the ANC NEC.

Bra Ambi led the COJ local government for 10 years as the 1st Executive Mayor, taking over from Ntate Mogase & I was privileged to serve under your leadership as Speaker & MMC.

Notable achievements that improved the quality of life of the people of Joburg during his tenure, was the regeneration of the inner city. I will never forget those days when Cde Ambi made us arrive at Joburg council by 5 am, have breakfast, some of us with eyes closed & we would then get into buses and walk into the whole City Centre and townships from 6 am to inspect & address service delivery, lawlessness, crime & grime. Up until 6 pm in the evening.

Under his astute leadership, Joburg was transformed into a socially & economically integrated and wealthiest city in Africa, redressed the legacies of apartheid, and transformed Soweto into a clean & beautiful township with trees, street lights, traffic lights and marked & tarred streets. The city grew its economy steadily especially because of human settlements and infrastructure development programs which also created jobs for the unemployed.

The most notable highlight was putting Joburg on the World Map for the best 2010 Soccer World Cup ever, hence people today are enjoying the upgraded Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium, and Soccer City greened soccer fields & local parks, as well as the colorful Soweto theatre, etc. These and many other infrastructure projects cushioned citizens.

To Cde Parks Mpho Franklyn Tau.

Likewise, we support the ANC Region for honoring Cde Parks and I believe not only for his Local government leadership during the 25 years of democracy, but also for taking part in the liberation struggle at a very young tender age as a student leader in the 80’s up the too early ’90s.

Cde Parks’s struggle activism propelled the ANC to elect him to various political leadership responsibilities from the branch level to the three ANC structures I had a privilege to serve with Cde Parks: the Soweto ANC subregion, the Joburg ANC Region as the youngest Chairperson ever, and the ANC PEC.

Cde Parks was one of the pioneers of the 1st democratically elected Local government in JHB in 1995, fresh from “Siyayinyova” to transforming the apartheid racially divided City.

Cde Parks led urban development in the Southern metro local council and later development planning, transportation, and environment. Today the public transport system in the townships, in particular, has greatly improved. Cde Parks later championed Finance & Economic development reflected in many infrastructure programs that created jobs for the Joburg citizens.

When Cde Parks took over from Cde Ambi, he continued with the transformation of the City. Some of the notable achievements that improved the quality of life of people especially young people during his tenure was the rolling out of free internet access, Jozi @ work employment scheme, and championing Corridors of Freedom. Today many black people live and play near their places of work. He championed Climate change mitigation & adaptation programs as a member of the C40 climate change network.

Both Cde Ambi & Cde Parks are also honoured for leading Salga and placing the City & Salga on the World map, as they led World Mayors of the Metropolis through UCLGA.

In conclusion, much has been done during the 25years of local government and we are certain that the current COJ leadership are continuing from where Cde Ambi & Cde Parks left in providing services to make the lives of the People of Joburg better.

Cde Nyameka Nandi Mayathula-Khoza

The payment of salaries had had a “detrimental” effect on the outlook of those on the steady payroll as “such payments corrupt cadres at any level and have the effect of making people perform their duties or fill offices because of money inducement rather than dedication to the cause they become in effect merely salaried employees of the movement”

Hani Memorandum Signatories

‘The order that comes from the Conference is close ranks’. Be vigilant, comrades. The enemy is vigilant. Beware the wedge driver! Men who creep from ear to ear, driving wedges among us; who go around creating splits and divisions. Beware the wedge driver! Watch his poisonous tongue.’

Oliver Tambo