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ANC–celebrations: Questions

• Editorial staff

While it is stated that the celebrations for the establishing of the ANC 100 years ago in 1912 at the Waaihoek Methodist Church, Mangaung, Bloemfontein, are to start in earnest as from 4 January next year, questions are being asked about arrangements for the series of events.

This is against the backdrop of some 13 000 people, amongst them some 60 heads of state and other foreign dignitaries, expecting to flock for the occasion to Bloemfontein

Questions raised in the media and on social networks are the following:

• In light of the bulk of municipal taxes in the city coming from the traditional residential areas of the city and from the city's industrial areas – areas according to the latest local government elections not supportive of the ANC – is it fair to say the celebrations is for a common cause?
• With Bloemfontein / Mangaung / Heidedal having only some 28 000 beds for visitors available, how is the surplus of visitors to be accommodated?
• With provisional budgetary figures of at least R400 million being flouted for the celebrations in Bloemfontein / Mangaung / Heidedal, consisting basically of R35 million to restore the Waaihoek Methodist Church, R200 million to upgrade the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium, R 15 million to expand Free State House of the Premier, R150 million to prepare Philip Sanders Resort to serve as pivotal accommodation venue – who is to foot the bill? The taxpayer?
• The critical facilities and venues to be restored and revamped, are as of now still in a dilapidated state, less than a month from D-day – how is the magic wand to be waved?
• The host city is evidently dirty and in a state of decay – where is the festive attire befitting a celebrating host city to come from?
• How much is the proposed name changes of a large number of key thoroughfares and streets in Bloemfontein, clearly prompted by the coming centenary celebrations, expected to cost both the public and private sector? Is it correct to prioritise this funding in the face of already over-stretched budgets and massive infrastructural backlogs?
• As some of these name changes concern streets and venues with names themselves more than a century old and steeped in historical cultural heritage, is it to be a unifying or a divisive factor, impacting on local investment?

These questions are raised purely on grounds of common sense and are devoid of political motivation. They do, however touch directly on issues of local business and development, present as well as future.