A Vision for Cape Town’s Future

GOOD Speech given during the GOOD City of Cape Town Mayoral Launch by Patricia de Lille, GOOD Leader:

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Brett Herron.

*Brett and I have worked together for many years, across different chapters of public service and political life.

In fact, I still remember the first time he walked into my office and asked a simple question: “How can I help?”*

That question tells you a great deal about who Brett is.

*He is not someone who waits to be invited into the conversation.

He is not someone who stands on the sidelines offering criticism.

He is someone who steps forward, asks the right questions, offers practical solutions, and then works tirelessly to make them happen.*

Throughout the years, whether in local government, public service or politics, Brett has consistently been the person challenging us to think differently, to think long term, and to focus on what really matters: improving the lives of the people we serve.

When I proposed Brett as a mayoral candidate for the City of Cape Town, it was because I had seen first-hand his integrity, 8his courage, his commitment to public service, and his ability to turn ideas into action.

*What many people may not know is that Brett combines practical experience with significant academic achievement.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Legal Studies, an LLB degree, is an admitted attorney, and completed a Master of Science in Cities at the London School of Economics, one of the world’s leading centres for urban studies and city planning.

His academic work, combined with decades of practical experience, has given him a deep understanding of how cities function, how they grow, and how they can be transformed to create opportunity for all.*

Cape Town is an exceptional city.

*It is blessed with extraordinary natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, world-class attractions, and remarkable economic potential.

It is a city that consistently earns recognition as one of the most desirable places in the world to visit, invest in and call home.*

But Brett has always challenged us to look beyond the postcard image and ask a more important question: who gets to share in that opportunity?

He understands that the true measure of a successful city is not how beautiful it appears to visitors, but whether all its residents can access dignity, safety, opportunity and prosperity.

He understands that where you live should not determine the quality of your education, your access to work, your daily commute, your safety, or your future prospects.

And he understands that cities are shaped by choices.

*During our years working together, we shared a vision for a more connected Cape Town.

A city where transport, housing, infrastructure and economic opportunity work together.

A city that overcomes the divisions of its past and creates pathways to a better future.*

*We worked on projects that sought to connect people to opportunity through integrated transport and transit-oriented development.

We understood that solving congestion was not simply about building roads.

It was about creating a city where people could live closer to where they work, study and build their lives.*

Much of that work remains unfinished.

*The unfinished bridges of Cape Town are not only physical structures.

They are symbolic of the work that still lies ahead. The work of reconnecting communities.

The work of reducing congestion. The work of bringing affordable housing into well-located areas of our city.

The work of ensuring that economic opportunity is not determined by geography.*

So, Brett, I want to leave you with a challenge.

Complete the bridges we started building together.

*Build the physical bridges that help connect our city and unlock mobility.

Build the social and economic bridges that reconnect communities to jobs, education and opportunity.

Build the housing solutions that allow working families to live closer to where opportunity exists.

And continue the work of creating a Cape Town that is not only exceptional in appearance, but exceptional in its ability to provide dignity and opportunity for all its people.

To voters, I say let’s build with Brett. Encourage your friends and family, to register to vote. It matters. And you don’t have to wait for registration weekend. Go online and be counted.

Because I know of few people better equipped for that task than someone who combines the heart of a public servant, the mind of an urbanist, and the determination of a builder.

Finish, the Foreshore Freeway project because it provide[s] us with an opportunity to address the legacy of apartheid spatial planning and deal with the traffic congestion in the City.

Part of our plan was to build affordable housing on City owned land under the bridges.

2012 – Partner with UCT Engineering and Built Environment faculty to find innovation proposals.

2014 – As part of World design capital hosted an exhibition showcasing the ideas.

*2016 – The city committed R750m to deal with traffic congestion relief projects across the City over the next 5 years

2016 – We called for investors. It was stopped by people who don’t want to integrate the city.

*Over many years, Brett has been a trusted colleague, a dependable partner, and someone whose advice I have always valued.

His contribution to Cape Town and to South Africa speaks for itself.*

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Brett Herron as the Mayoral Candidate for the Cape Town Metro.

GOOD International Relations: The party promotes positive international relations and cooperation.

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