Vinotharan Mogambaram Reddy

Attendance

Present

57

Leave of absence

5

Absent without leave

1

Arrived late

3

Left early

6

Reasons given for leave: Private business (2), Party business (2), Other (1).

"Absent without leave" means the signed minutes of a meeting held while they were on council neither list them as present nor excuse them, and no similar name appears that day, so misspellings in the minutes don't count against anyone. Each square links to the minutes.

In the chamber

From the 10 sittings transcribed so far in their term. Times are approximate, to the nearest transcript line.

Not present when called

0

Times given the floor

1

Average wait to start

6 s

Average greetings first

0 s

Apology or leave of absence (2)

• 27 Aug 2026 · 00:04:44Ill health. Listed as ill. sitting
• 27 Aug 2026 · 00:09:35Ill health. DA leave of absence because of illness. sitting

In their words

Every time the chair gave them the floor in a transcribed sitting (1), newest first. The words are the AI transcript of that stretch of the livestream (Argon), so they can include the chair or an interjection; the time link is the place to check.

• 26 Aug 2026 · 08:18:1615 and 16 · 8 min 1 s

  Read what they said (1019 words)

  Good evening, Madam Speaker. To paraphrase Martin Luther King, we have a dream. Ah, but perhaps that quote is inappropriate in this instance, because even the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm or Aesop's Fables have more substance than some of what we've been presented today. The only analogy I can think of is Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country, a book that reflects on injustice, inequality and a system that has failed its people.

  Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on items 15 and 16 relating to the Department of Economic Development's Development Plan, Investment Atlas and Implementation Plan for Regions A and E. I say failed our people because for the last five years, I've served on the Section 79 Committee, and during that time we've seen very few proposals accompanied by concrete, sustainable and properly funded implementation plans.

  Instead, we are once again presented with a collection of ambitious ideas, many of them desirable, certainly, but without evidence of research, evaluation, prioritization or sustainable funding. These plans speak extensively about developmental nodes, particularly in historically disadvantaged communities. But we must remember that many of those communities remain disadvantaged today, 32 years into our democracy.

  The DA supports sustainable development. We support investment, economic growth and the upliftment of communities. But the development must be practical, sustainable and beneficial to the broader economic ecosystem, not simply a list of aspirational projects. This is where these plans fall short. Both Region A and E plans fail to adequately confront the infrastructural challenges facing Sandton and Fourways.

  They fail to adequately address the transport challenges experienced by residents daily, by workers and commuters. They fail to address poor roads, inadequate road connectivity. They fail to address aging and inadequate water and sewer infrastructure that requires urgent investment and replacement. And they fail to adequately confront an electricity supply that is simply too unreliable for a city that wants to attract and retain investment.

  These are not luxuries. These are the basic foundations of a successful economy. Madam Speaker, we welcome development in our townships and disadvantaged communities, but we cannot ignore the reality that many residents of these communities work in major metropolitan economic centers in our city, and these people need reliable, affordable and efficient public transport and infrastructure to get to work.

  There's a dire shortage of properly functioning taxi and bus facilities in areas across these regions. Take Sandton taxi rank in Ward 103. For years, residents and commuters have heard promises of an upgrade and redevelopment. It has repeatedly appeared in IDP planning and budgeting, but yet the project remains incomplete, and in practical terms, commuters continue to use an overcrowded and dilapidated facility.

  Promises are not projects. Budgets are not implementation. And plans are not progress. We now talk about creating a smart hub between Alexandra and Sandton. What does smart mean when residents in both suburbs can experience prolonged water and electricity outages? What does a smart hub achieve if there's no seamless integration between taxis, buses, rail and e-hailing services?

  What message are we sending to investors when existing infrastructure is allowed to deteriorate while we announce new and expensive projects? Madam Speaker, we already have an example in the Alexandra Automotive Hub, which has stood largely empty for a number of years, despite the massive investment made into it. Once again, we appear to be ignoring what we already have while looking for new places to spend money.

  For a cash-strapped city, this is simply not sustainable. The City of Johannesburg is not just broke; it's broken. The responsible approach is to maintain, repair, upgrade and maximize the infrastructure we already have before embarking on another round of expensive new projects. The DA welcomes the expansion of economic activity into the outer reaches of Johannesburg and regions,

  and the inclusion of economic opportunities in disadvantaged communities. But development cannot happen in isolation. For if we want business to invest, we must give them confidence. This means reliable water, reliable electricity, functional roads, effective transport networks, efficient municipal services, and infrastructure that actually supports economic activity.

  Madam Speaker, we have heard of similar grand visions before: Vision 2030, Vision 2040, and yet another collection of ambitious plans. There's nothing wrong with long-term planning, and in fact future planning is essential. But a five-year or 10-year plan means nothing if we cannot demonstrate what will be delivered in year one.

  We cannot continue making promises that never become reality. We cannot continue announcing projects for political headlines while basic services deteriorate. And we cannot continue spending scarce municipal resources without demonstrating measurable outcomes. Johannesburg is not merely facing a financial crisis; it is facing a crisis of functionality. And the people of this city are paying the price.

  They are paying through unreliable services. They are paying through deteriorating infrastructure. They are paying through lost economic opportunities. And ultimately, they are paying through declining living standards. Madam Speaker, the DA believes that there is another way. We pledge to prioritize the fundamentals: water, roads, electricity, transport and municipal infrastructure. We want to create a stable and sustainable business environment,

  one that attracts investment, retains businesses and creates jobs. Because when you create a sustainable job, you not only support an individual, you support a household, you support a family, you support a community. That is the economic development that Johannesburg needs, not another glossy plan, not another unfunded promise, and not another nice-to-have. But implementation, accountability, sustainability and results

  is the key to success. Madam Speaker, I welcome our incoming Mayor, Helen Zille, who has visited communities across our city and has seen firsthand the decay and degradation that the residents are experiencing. The DA has presented a manifesto that sets out a practical program to address these challenges and restore functionality across Johannesburg. Our city doesn't need another dream; it needs a plan that works

  and a political will to implement it. It's time to stop promising our residents a better Johannesburg tomorrow while failing them today. It is time to make the city work again for all its people. Thank you.

Spoke on

• 26 Aug 2026 · 08:11:10Items 15 and 16: Region A and Region E economic development plans, ACDP, UDM, FF+ and DA