The memories of two late and selfless women councillors will continue to live as the City’s important landmarks have been renamed after them and continue to tell their stories.
This follows after the recent motions which were passed in Council, to rename the new Council Chambers after the late Speaker of Council Cllr Connie Bapela; and also, to rename the Caroline Street Retirement Village after the late Cllr Suzanne Clarke respectively.
The Speaker of Council, Cllr Nonceba Molwele on Wednesday, 4 November 2020, hosted a virtual engagement under the topic “honouring the legacy of former great women leaders of the Johannesburg City Council.” The discussion was to pay tribute to both the late councillors who have been hailed as heroines for having dedicated their lives to serving others. It was also an opportunity to reflect on the immense contributions they have made in the City. The engagement was also attended by the husband of the late Cllr Bapela, the Deputy Minister for COGTA Mr. Obed Bapela and their two children.
The Gauteng Legislature Chair of Chairs, Hon. Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane called on all councillors and public officials to honor the late Cllr Bapela by giving selfless service to the communities.
“Never once in my lifetime, did I ever imagine talking about Connie as the late. I am still battling to come to terms with that harsh reality even today. She was the epitome of a true servant of the people, “said Nkosi-Malobane.
Nkosi-Malobane recalled how during the dark days of apartheid years in 1986, she and the late Cllr Bapela were detained at the then Johannesburg Prison.
“While in detention we were scared that we might be raped, murdered or disappear without trace; but as sisters we stood together,” said Nkosi-Malobane.
Cllr Molwele said the transparency of the Chambers Council in its design represents openness and accountability, some of the attributes which described the late Cllr Bapela.
“Mama Connie was very passionate about public participation and the new Council Chambers is indeed open to the public, which is a reminder of who sis Connie was. She was a hard-worker, a graceful, beautiful and authentic African leader who was indeed orderly, transparent and committed to the transformation of the people of Johannesburg and a beacon of hope to many especially women,” said Cllr Molwele.
Cllr Molwele equally hailed the late Cllr Clarke as a heroine who fought until the end in her long battle with cancer in 2019.
“Cllr Clarke was a truly remarkable person who dedicated all her life to uplifting and assisting everyone who sought her help” said Cllr Molwele.
Community Development MMC Cllr Margaret Arnolds described the late Cllr Clarke as someone who lived her life to serve others whenever she got the opportunity.
“The late Cllr Clarke believed that the youth must be motivated to be in high positions. She drew her inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” She wanted to make the change in the world. I don’t think there was any woman deserving to be renamed after the institution she spent her life serving,” said Cllr Arnolds.
“It was an honour for me to have made the motion to rename Caroline Street Retirement unit after the late Cllr Clarke. One thing that stood out for me when I first met the late Cllr Clarke was that, she could speak nine South African languages and Portuguese fluently. She could converse with everyone in the community and respond in their language,” said Cllr Christians.
Thulani Ndlovu from the Connie Bapela Foundation said the foundation welcomed the City’s decision to rename the Council Chambers after the late councilor.
“She was passionate about uplifting her community; hence the Connie Bapela Foundation aims to preserve her legacy. The Connie Bapela’s name will continue to vibrate in our communities,” said Ndlovu
Issued by the City of Johannesburg
Spokesperson for the Speaker of Council: Sipho Masigo, 068 040 9431
For all media queries, send an email to siphomasi@joburg.org.za
