JOBURG – The City of Johannesburg’s 270 councillors, including the mayor, mayoral committee members, ward councillors and opposition leaders all meet once a month in the council chambers at Metro Centre in Braamfontein.
This meeting, that usually takes place from 10am on the last Thursday of every month, can be attended by members of the public where discussions on rates, policies, plans and all things that ultimately affect you, the ratepayers, are conducted.
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The public is unable to sit in the actual chamber due to space restrictions, however, there is a lecture theatre with live sound and a visual feed where you can be seated.
Once the new council chamber has been completed, a public gallery will be available.
Although public attendance is encouraged, you need to ask permission, as a form of courtesy, from the City’s speaker of council, Vasco da Gama, who will also be the one at the head of the chamber, leading the meeting.
Contact his office manager, Joanne van Greunen by sending an email to joannev@joburg.org.za to notify her of your attendance.
If you don’t, you’ll most likely not be permitted access to the parking area by security. And to park in Braamfontein’s streets is not free.
A lot of protocol is observed once the meetings begin, so things might not make sense at first, but don’t fret. The structure of the meetings follows strict guidelines to ensure smooth sailing.
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On the agenda there will be an opening by the speaker, applications for leave of absence announced, official notices announced, the previous meeting’s minutes will be confirmed and then the items of discussion begin.
The speaker’s secretary will announce what each item is about and allow for each councillor to give their two cents. This is when you should sit up and listen.
Remember:
- Councillors address one another as councillor or MMC or mayor or speaker
- Political banter amongst parties, especially between the Democratic Alliance, African National Congress and Economic Freedom Fighters, is common, but the speaker and Chief Whip tend to keep everyone in line.
- The meetings are usually quite long; you can expect to spend an entire day at the meeting.
- You are allowed to bring something along to drink.
- You can bring along your laptop and there are charging points.
Will you attend the next council meeting? Let us know what you think, by sending an email to randburgsun@caxton.co.za
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