Speech by the Executive Mayor, Alderman Patricia de
Lille, at the announcement that Burger King will be
opening their first outlet in South Africa
The Executive Vice President and President for Europe, Middle East and
Africa for Burger King Corporation, Mr Jose Cil;
The Chairman of Grand Parade Investments Limited, Hassan Adams;
Invited guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Good morning, goeie môre, molweni.
The City of Cape Town is proud to become the home of the first Burger
King outlet in South Africa.
I am grateful that the Burger King Corporation has chosen Cape Town as
the base for their flagship project in South Africa.
This is a welcome vote of confidence in our city’s economy by the private
sector.
We are determined to create an attractive, economically enabling
environment for potential investors to invest in our city.
This is why the City has partnered with the Provincial Government to
review those regulations that hinder business.
It is also for this reason that the City continues to invest heavily in
infrastructure to ensure that we have the necessary capacity to create an
enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.
In practical terms, this means that we are able to provide electricity and a
water supply.
It also means that we are able to invest in creating a truly integrated
transport system, which means that economic opportunities can be
accessed and that workers can move safely and reliably to their
workplace.
It also means investing in cutting edge broadband technology, so that we
can link Cape Town to the world, and in so doing help make business
more competitive and productive.
An investment of this magnitude by Burger King will have numerous spin
offs for the local economy.
These investments create much-needed jobs for local residents.
We know that having a job goes a long way to restoring the dignity of the
poor and the vulnerable.
It also opens business opportunities for local suppliers.
It helps our economy grow.
It boosts our on-going efforts to tackle poverty in the city.
On behalf of the City of Cape Town, I would like to thank Mr Hassan
Adams and Burger King for the confidence they have shown in Cape Town
to help us build an Opportunity City.
I thank you.