Message from the mayor
By Executive Mayor
15 December 2009
It is once again that time of the year when communities the world over take a break from their busy life schedules and retreat into the comforting, soothing, and replenishing atmosphere of the Christmas Season.
It is the time when families come together in the traditional Christmas spirit of giving and sharing; when young and old find reason to sit back, relax, and take stock of the brighter moments, the joys and achievements of the passing year.
As the broader Buffalo City community joins the global community in this festive mood of enjoyment and relaxation, it is my humble hope that we will find ample reason to celebrate, and less cause for despair.
We have come through a difficult year, indeed. The impact of the global recession had a particularly crippling effect on our local economy. Our retail and manufacturing sectors reported losses, and many of our people lost their jobs, their sources of livelihood. Several families lost their loved ones through road accidents, disasters, and the deadly scourge of HIV and AIDS. The safety and security of families and whole communities were compromised by the unyielding incidence of crime and general lawlessness.
Despite all such and several other calamities, we must endeavour to find reason to be thankful to the Almighty for carrying us through the year, and delivering us safely on the threshold of Christmas.
And, as we sit down to enjoy our Christmas dinner with our families and loved ones, we should please spare a thought for the destitute sectors of our society, those poor souls who have nothing to celebrate. To them, there is nothing special about Christmas. They continue to go to bed on empty stomachs. They will be spending the entire festive season on the streets. They would give the world to feed on the scraps that will be falling from our Christmas tables. Let us open our doors to these people on Christmas Day. Let us make this Christmas a memorable one even for them.
In conclusion, I want to invite all the communities of Buffalo City, all the sectors of our local society, to hold hands and go into the New Year with a solemn commitment to work together to bring meaningful change in our lives; to speak with one voice; to translate challenges into opportunities; to bring light to those who are living in darkness; and to make Buffalo City a happy and peaceful home for all.
On behalf of the Buffalo City Council, I wish you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
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