Statement by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille
Mayor De Lille calls on Professor Ben Turok to apologise to the
people of Mitchells Plain
I have noted with regret the alleged comments made by former ANC MP,
Professor Ben Turok, to the media asking whether I want Noordhoek to look
like Mitchells Plain. This is in the context of Council’s approval of an
application for rezoning Portion 1 of Cape Farm 1387 at 21 Avondrust Circle in
Noordhoek, to allow for a restaurant.
It is very disappointing for a person who was involved in the struggle against
apartheid to make a statement like this, as if the people of Mitchells Plain are
not equal to the people in Noordhoek.
His comments are deeply concerning and inherently racist. He is effectively
referring to the people of Mitchells Plain as second-class citizens.
We are building an inclusive city and the City of Cape Town belongs to
everyone.
I am calling on him to apologise to the people of Mitchells Plain.
He must understand that the days of the Group Areas Act are long over,
where you have coloureds living in Mitchells Plain and whites living in
Noordhoek.