On Wednesday 31 January, Democratic Alliance Cllr Daniel Schay, addressed the City of Johannesburg’s Council sitting on the Greater Orange Farm Development Framework, below is his full speech…
Good Morning Speaker, my fellow DA councillors and to all the other parties represented here,
Today, we stand at a critical juncture, discussing the future of a community that, despite its historical support for the ANC, has been blatantly disregarded by the very same party for nearly three decades.
Let us first acknowledge where credit is due.
The drafting of the Greater Orange Farm Urban Development Framework was initiated under the leadership of the Democratic Alliance. It was our vision, our dedication to the people of Orange Farm, that laid the groundwork for this transformative plan. However, the journey from conception to tabling has been tumultuous, marred by political gamesmanship and unnecessary delays, primarily at the hands of the ANC/EFF/PA Doomsday Coalition.
As Nelson Mandela wisely said, “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” In the case of Orange Farm, the ANC’s treatment of its loyal supporters has been nothing short of deplorable. For nearly 30 years, the residents of Orange Farm have been marginalized, their needs ignored, and their voices silenced. This is not just an oversight; it is a systematic failure to uplift a community that has consistently given its support to the ANC.
Today, the Democratic Alliance stands ready to support the Greater Orange Farm Urban Development Framework. However, our support comes with a crucial caveat: the Framework, as it stands, is insufficient. The ANC in sticking with their typical consumer culture has completely forgotten the most critical need of the residents of Orange Farm, job creation, I suppose this isn’t surprising since it’s abundantly obvious that the ANC has zero economic understanding, with even the President’s so called business acumen proving to be an illusion created by the corruption of BEE.
Job creation is just something the ANC isn’t capable of doing, but aren’t you glad you’ve got the DA here, the party governing the province with the lowest unemployment and highest job creation figures, to point you in the right direction. To address the unemployment challenges of Orange Farm, we are leading the call for the inclusion of a dedicated Industrial and Commercial Zone within the Framework, a move that is critical for stimulating economic growth and providing employment opportunities in Orange Farm.
This inclusion is not just about economic development; it’s about restoring dignity and hope to a community that has been neglected for far too long. It’s about transforming Orange Farm from a forgotten area into a hub of activity and prosperity. As Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”
The Democratic Alliance is committed to driving this change, to ensuring that the Framework is not just a document of hollow promises, but a dynamic plan that brings real, tangible improvements to the lives of the people of Orange Farm.
In closing, let us not forget that the true measure of our success will be how we uplift the lives of the people in Orange Farm. The Democratic Alliance is dedicated to this cause, and we urge all parties to join us in transforming the narrative of Orange Farm from one of neglect to one of hope, prosperity, and dignity.
We will hold this coalition to account to ensure the promises of this framework are realized and not just words in the wind like so many other promises made to the residents of Orange Farm.
By Daniel Schay.
