Post by cjm on Oct 27, 2013 5:32:10 GMT
I say, the sooner the better. If they want to go one step better, they should abolish it completely as in a one party state, there is no use for such such a pretension of democracy. The saving to be gained is huge. The existing buildings can be turned into a museum - or library. I am sure the South African Library and the National Museum (which are both next door) can put it to great use.
www.iol.co.za/news/politics/debate-on-parly-relocation-welcomed-1.1597244#.UmyjHa5b37o
www.iol.co.za/news/politics/debate-on-parly-relocation-welcomed-1.1597244#.UmyjHa5b37o
Debate on parly relocation welcomed
October 24 2013 at 08:41pm
By SAPA
The entrance to Parliament in Cape Town. Photo: Michael Walker
Johannesburg - The question of whether Parliament should be relocated to Pretoria should be a matter for public debate, Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said on Thursday.
“... We, as the city, are not in a position to express a canvassed view about the location of Parliament, as we believe that the seat of the national legislature, like the name of the capital city, should be a matter of public national debate,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said that the government had no firm position on the matter.
This was after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said during his medium-term budget speech on Wednesday that parliamentary costs, including those of commuting between Parliament, in Cape Town, and Pretoria, needed to be reduced.
Pretoria is the country's administrative capital, while Cape Town is the legislative capital.
Ramokgopa said the city understood the need for a review of the current Cape Town-Tshwane arrangement. If Parliament were to relocate, this would present a number of opportunities for the city.
Earlier, Chabane suggested that Gordhan's concern about the exorbitant costs of moving ministers and departmental delegations between the two cities should not be seen as a firm decision to relocate the legislature.
“We move a huge chunk of administration from time-to-time, to come and attend to issues in Cape Town,” Chabane said.
“What the statement (from Gordhan) says is that we need to find the ways to reduce the number of officials we bring down.”
He said it should be noted that a decision to move Parliament was not one to be made by the executive, but by the legislature itself.
Sapa
October 24 2013 at 08:41pm
By SAPA
The entrance to Parliament in Cape Town. Photo: Michael Walker
Johannesburg - The question of whether Parliament should be relocated to Pretoria should be a matter for public debate, Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said on Thursday.
“... We, as the city, are not in a position to express a canvassed view about the location of Parliament, as we believe that the seat of the national legislature, like the name of the capital city, should be a matter of public national debate,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said that the government had no firm position on the matter.
This was after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said during his medium-term budget speech on Wednesday that parliamentary costs, including those of commuting between Parliament, in Cape Town, and Pretoria, needed to be reduced.
Pretoria is the country's administrative capital, while Cape Town is the legislative capital.
Ramokgopa said the city understood the need for a review of the current Cape Town-Tshwane arrangement. If Parliament were to relocate, this would present a number of opportunities for the city.
Earlier, Chabane suggested that Gordhan's concern about the exorbitant costs of moving ministers and departmental delegations between the two cities should not be seen as a firm decision to relocate the legislature.
“We move a huge chunk of administration from time-to-time, to come and attend to issues in Cape Town,” Chabane said.
“What the statement (from Gordhan) says is that we need to find the ways to reduce the number of officials we bring down.”
He said it should be noted that a decision to move Parliament was not one to be made by the executive, but by the legislature itself.
Sapa