Johannesburg - The EFF will be wearing their red overalls and domestic workers’ uniforms to the inaugural meeting of the City of Joburg later this month, and nothing - not even the city’s strict dress code - will stop them.
Attending a rehearsal of the council meeting on Thursday, EFF Gauteng regional secretary-general Kgabo Hlonyana said they would not abandon the overalls that represented socialism and their solidarity with the working class.
“No one will stop us. They are terrified of us. They need us too much. We are not wearing them to seek publicity. We genuinely feel the pain of the poor... so we put ourselves in their shoes by wearing the overalls and uniforms,” he said.
It is the first time that the city has had EFF councillors. The EFF won 30 proportional representation seats, but has no ward councillors. Despite this, Hlonyana said they would be placing their councillors in wards to assist the communities and establish what their challenges are.
Land, homelessness and poverty were key issues for the party, he said.
“Land is a problem for all. Many people are gainfully employed but do not have land. We will also be looking at the affordability of water and electricity. We have clinics in the city which close their doors at 4pm. People do not choose at what time to get sick. We will be calling for 24-hour access,” he said.
Evictions in the inner city would be another issue. “We are feeling great about the outcome of the elections. We are happy that people have given us the opportunity to change people’s lives,” Hlonyana added.
The rehearsal was aimed at familiarising the new councillors with the internal workings of the council and to be briefed about the proceedings at the inaugural meeting to be held in the City Hall later this month. The date has not been announced.
The Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Dunstan Mlambo, will swear in the councillors. Each will take an oath of office or solemn affirmation (for the non-religious ones), followed by the election of the speaker, the executive mayor and the chief whip, ending with the new mayor's acceptance speech.
Councillors were handed the code of conduct and rules booklet, which contains the strict dress code.
They were also handed declaration of financial interest forms.