Joe Marks, an activist and public servant worthy of being honoured
Note to editors: the following is an extract from a speech delivered by Executive Mayor Patricia De Lille at the unveiling of Joe Marks Boulevard in Retreat today, 22 April 2015.
Chairperson of the City’s Naming Committee, Councillor Brett Herron; Members of the Naming Committee; Councillors; Mrs Magdalene Marks and members of the Marks family; the Lavender Hill Civic Association; honoured guests and members of the media.
Good morning, goeie môre, molweni, as-salaam alaikum, shalom.
It is an honour to be with you all today as we pay homage to a dedicated Struggle activist, Mr Joe Marks, on what would have been his 79th birthday.
His contribution is vividly remembered by many who expressed their support for the renaming of Concert Boulevard to Joe Marks Boulevard.
I quote: ‘He is a household name in Steenberg for everything he did during the Struggle. He remained humble’.
Another resident noted: ‘He got me the house I live in’.
Many people remember him as being an advocate for the poor and for social issues.
He was jailed three times during the 1980s and banned from political activity between 1988 and 1990.
He was active in movements such as the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the ANC military wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe.
He later left the ANC to join the Democratic Party and served as a Member of Parliament in our first democratically elected government from 1994 to 1999.
Following his retirement from politics, he continued to work with community health organisations and HIV/Aids groups, as well as helping to revive the Khoisan movement.
Today, as we unveil Joe Marks Boulevard, we remember a man who worked tirelessly to serve his community in any way he could.
We believe it is fitting to honour his life’s work.
And we are committed to redress and building an inclusive city.
With our Naming Policy, we recognise that renaming is part of redress, as it allows us to remember our past while giving everyone a say in building the future.
In 2013, the Lavender Hill Civic Association submitted a proposal to the City to honour the late Joe Marks by renaming Concert Boulevard.
The City then initiated a public participation process which saw more than 1 000 residents submitting comments.
The majority of residents were in favour of the renaming.
Following consideration of all comments, the Naming Committee recommended that Concert Boulevard be renamed Joe Marks Boulevard to honour a man renowned for his dedication to the community, especially the poor.
With this renaming, we can ensure that his legacy lives on.
In conclusion, it is my hope that as people pass the sign, they will be reminded of the selfless efforts of Joe Marks, and be inspired to emulate his example.
Thank you, baie dankie, enkosi.
Issued by the City of Cape Town, April 22 2015
