DA Criticizes Renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive, Calls for Focus on Service Delivery

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has strongly opposed the proposal to rename Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive, describing the move as unnecessary and misguided. Former Mayor and current MMC for Community Development’s comments in support of the renaming have drawn criticism, especially regarding his reasoning about “twinning agreements” between cities.

Twinning Agreements Make No Sense in This Context

The DA argues that the MMC’s justification using city-to-city agreements is flawed. Johannesburg already has established twinning agreements with cities like New York, London, Birmingham, Addis Ababa, and Windhoek. By supporting the renaming, it raises questions about whether these agreements are still respected. The DA urges the Mayor to clarify his position, especially with the U.S. Consulate located along Sandton Drive, as New York City is a twinned city.

A Distraction from Real Issues

The DA previously rejected this motion in 2018, and they continue to oppose it, calling it an insult to South Africans who have their own freedom fighters. They believe it’s also a slap in the face to residents who are paying for essential services like road maintenance, which the city has neglected. The DA also pointed out that the ANC-ActionSA-EFF-PA-AL Jama-ah coalition has ignored the potential costs and impact on businesses along Sandton Drive, as well as the strain this move may place on international relations.

DA’s Call for Better Use of Resources

The DA highlighted that over 5,000 residents have objected to the city’s spending on renaming streets, rather than focusing on improving basic services. They are calling on the Executive Mayor and the coalition government to reconsider their priorities and use funds more effectively to address pressing issues, such as:

• Reopening the Johannesburg library, which has been closed for over a year.
• Cleaning and maintaining swimming pools in Region C, which are currently out of service.
• Resolving Johannesburg’s water crisis, where some residents have been without water for 13 days.

Prioritizing Service Delivery Over Vanity Projects

The DA firmly believes that the current administration is failing to address the real needs of the city’s residents. They vow to continue advocating for better service delivery, focusing on essential infrastructure, rather than what they see as “vanity projects.” A DA-led government, they assert, would prioritize the needs of Johannesburg’s people, ensuring they receive the services they deserve.