The sitting of the Tshwane metro council meeting was disrupted on Thursday due to opposing views from councillors over the presence of a children’s cultural group.
Council speaker Rachel Mathebe announced that youth members of the Voortrekker organisation comprising of different schools would be attending the meeting to learn more about council proceedings.
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This sparked an outrage from councillors who said that it was “racist” and did not promote transformation. This led to the mayor Solly Msimanga requesting that the children be excused, so they were not exposed to such arguments in council.
There was a 10-minute recess during which the chief whips discussed whether the children should sit in the meeting as the session turned into a full-blown debate with opposing views.
EFF councillor Kabelo Disoloane said other groups had to be invited so there was “a balance and transformation”.
Leader of the ANC Tshwane region Mapiti Matsena said there could not be an argument in council with children watching. “They should be excused. We must build them up instead of letting them witness such debates, ” said Matsena.
Speaker of council Rachel Mathebe said members of the public, as well as cultural groups, may request to attend council meetings. She has received requests from three other groups and had given them future dates.
“I accept it was an oversight on my end. I should have invited two other groups to promote social cohesion but due to space in the gallery, this was not possible.”
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