Cllr. Farouk Cassim

Speech on my 80th Birthday

My dear family, friends, and neighbours,
At eighty, the road traversed has been long; the path ahead, will not unexpectedly be short. What matters now, however, is not how many days remain, but how fully the years already given were lived.
Reflection now weighs more than ambition. Health is the daily concern. Wealth is measured only in the love that surrounds us. The parting from those we loved most, as of my dearest Rabiya, leaves a wound nothing in this world can fully heal. Yet, it is softened by the promise of an eternal reunion.

At eighty, one quietly begins the handing-over. Nothing feels more urgent than time with grandchildren. Nothing is as important as their laughter, their questions, their growth, their happiness. I know that when my footsteps are no longer heard, I will still be walking in theirs. The truest inheritance I can leave to them is not gold nor land, but the best of my thinking: refined, tested, and tempered by eighty years of joy and sorrow.
If I have reached this age without a single quarrel in the family, if old friendships are still warm, if neighbours still feel seen and valued, then I dare say these eighty years have been purposefully and constructively lived.
Yet fullness, for me, still asks deeper questions: What did I do for my family that they will remember with gratitude? What did I do for my country that made it gentler or fairer? What did I do for humanity that outlasts my name? Did I leave even the faintest footprint in the sands of time?

Every day, many times a day, we Muslims pray: God, “Guide us to the Straight Path.” That has become my quiet examination: Did I walk the straight path? Did I walk kindly and lightly on this earth?
In recent years I have asked publicly—and I ask again, very gently: Why should we not, as Muslims, mark Christmas in our own way? Jesus, peace be upon him, is the Messiah in our Book; Mary, may God be pleased with her, is given a chapter unmatched in any other scripture. Should we not rejoice in what is common, for the healing of our souls and the healing of the world?
And should we not live more humbly on this earth, walking lightly, gratefully, as trustees and not as despoilers?
At eighty, life presses its largest questions upon you. What you finally make of your years becomes the quiet legacy you hand on: not in loud achievements, but in the way you loved, the way you forgave, the way you stayed ever hopeful.

So, to all of you here, from the deepest chamber of my heart, thank you. Thank you for opening your hearts, thank you for being present today.
Thank you to my brothers and sisters and their families; and the families of my nephews and nieces for the purest love they gave, unspoilt by any discord or grudge.
Thank you to all my dearest family members and the family members of those whom the marriages of our children brought together. We became one very big and harmonious family.
Thank you to all those in the extended family and to those close friends who provided so much strength and succour in the year that my dearest Rabiya was afflicted by cancer.
Constructing and preserving relationships are an act of worship. Islam emphasizes the family unit as the cornerstone of society. Strengthening family ties, honouring parents, and nurturing love within households are seen as fulfilling religious obligations.

Thank you, family.
I also acknowledge all of you and all your many acts of kindness. If we could all live in such harmony, all the time, in every place, the world would indeed be a much better place.
I must also acknowledge all the health professionals who went beyond the call of duty to provide the best medical care that my dearest wife could have got. I don’t have her infinite capacity to love, but let me borrow what I can from her, to thank you from the bottom of my heart to amplify my love.
If I have learned one thing to pass on, it is this: stay positive. No matter how fierce the storm, keep a positive disposition. Light always conquers darkness, and a heart that refuses to surrender to bitterness will carry its possessor the farthest.
On a lighter note, Rabiya, Premi our children’s former nanny and my mother-in-law made birthdays of our children very memorable occasions. I remember when my Shennie was 4 years old, Imti cried bitter tears because my mother-in-law had not baked him a cake also. She, as was her custom, obliged. The upshot was that all had a splendid time. The Queen of Hearts was free to say her birthday every day so why not the siblings?

More importantly, the friendships that were thus forged in the early years, endured over the years. There is a lot to be said about the value of healthy socialising in childhood.
My grandchildren show such excitement and anticipation a month before the event, that happiness suffuses their lives for days on end. They are very excited about today’s events also and you saw happy that are to have you here today.
Rabiya’s birthday was on 1st of May, labour day. Every person who worked for her, worked with affection for her. Mama Tobeka has been with us for over two decades. Jabu has been with us for fifteen years. Conelia has been with us for a year.
Shennie arrived into this world on Father’s Day. I give a cake and I get a cake. That’s a great deal.

The one remarkable thing about our birthdays is that Imtiaz was born on 13 November, one day before my birthday.
Amir was born 2 days before Leila’s birthday.
Junaid’s birthday is on 7 September and Nadia’s on 14th April. There is so much connectedness in all the numbers.
The most obvious thing about a birthday party is not philosophy and certainly not mathematics. It is to enjoy one another’s company and share meat and drink together, not of the fermented type of course.
My thanks to everyone who pitched in to supply the tables and to Lethabo for always being the nightingale in our home.
Before I sign off, I wish to solicit your support for two initiatives that will be of great importance to South Africa: A movement called Renew South Africa to create support for voter education and to keep the belief in democracy alive. The second initiative is to launch a unique political party called the Service Delivery Party intended to attract people with expertise who wish to operate with a great amount of autonomy in their chosen field of expertise.

The law requires 1000 people to sign the Deed of Foundation. Documents will soon be uploaded on ace4u.co.za. Peruse the document and if you like what is there, canvassing 10 – 20 to support the formation of the Service Delivery Party will be highly appreciated.
God bless you all and guide us, every one of us, to walk the Straight Path, together.
With all my love to every one of you, on my eightieth birthday.
Thank you

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Regards

Farouk Cassim
Milnerton
Cape Town

8 November 2021

THANK YOU EVERYONE

I traversed a very long road in South African politics. In a few days I will be 76 years old; and not having won enough votes, I am bowing out to pursue other interests.

COPE, regrettably, did not do well in Cape Town.

Our democracy, however, is working very well. Many new players will be taking up their seats in council and voters have high expectations that they will deliver better with the mandates that they have received.

It was a great privilege to have served as a councillor for five years.

I wish the new Mayor and all the councillors the very best of luck over the coming five years. They have an enormous task ahead of them.

Thank you for your past support.

This will be my last post on this site. If anyone still wishes to follow me, find me on my page: Dynamic English Books.

God bless our beautiful city and everyone who lives in it.

Farouk Cassim

Milnerton

Cape Town

SECOND BALLOT PAPER

Here's what it will look like in part. You will find COPE two thirds of the way down on the ballot paper.

Make your cross next to COPE if you are in support of our manifesto and approve of our determination to bring about the transformation of the townships and poor areas of Cape Town.

The IEC has confirmed the opening hours for our voting stations on Monday:

All booths will open on Monday morning, at 7:00.

https://www.elections.org.za/pw/LGEBallots/1091/WP/CPT_PR.pdf

COPE's real ammunition:

The Constitution in section 153 says, "A municipality must structure and manage its administration and budgeting and planning processes to give priority to the basic needs of the community and to promote the social and economic development of the community;"

Who can argue with that? Which mayor can defy that injunction?

If the people are behind us on this, they will be going forward quickly because "must" is must and there's no two ways about it.

COPE HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH COUNCIL TO MAKE SPINE ROAD INTO A MAIN ROAD WITH MIXED USE ZONING.

COPE tabled a motion to change the zoning for Spine Road so that it could become like the Main Road running from the City, through Woodstock and to Wynberg and beyond.

This motion was unanimously supported by the full council.

It remains for action to take place.

Everyone living in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain will heartily welcome the change proposed in COPE's motion.

Your vote for COPE will see a spurt of economic development in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain.

COPE is very strong on the transformation of all our townships. The rezoning of Spine Road running through Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain can become a pilot project.

Our manifesto is actually a 12-point written plan which is ready to be submitted to the IDP office after the elections. Go for our written plan and not for promises.

See also:

Starfish Project: Plan to make Cape Town a prosperous and safer city for all LETTER: Farouk Cassim writes to commend the Cape Argus for its ’Starfish Project’ aimed at congregating all who can help to make Cape Town as safe as it is beautiful.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS PARK FOR CAPE TOWN

On 29 May 2019, COPE tabled a motion for the City to agree to the establishment of a SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS PARK.

Such a park will make science, mathematics and technology, crucially important subjects in the school curriculum, exciting, attractive and attainable for a much large number of learners.

A SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS PARK will open so many career paths for so many learners in our city. Who will not want such a park for their children?

VOTE for COPE for a better future for your children. We don't promise, we create plans for the betterment of everyone in the city.

Your vote for COPE will ensure that Cape Town will become the first city in Africa to have a science, technology and mathematics park, and that we assure you will be a game changer in education.

See the motion here:

fil:///C:/Users/Cassim/Downloads/Test/CSH06050220%20-%20MOTION%20SUBMITTED%20BY%20COUNCILLOR%20M%20F%20CASSIM%20IN%20TERMS%20OF%20RULE%2018%20OF%20THE%20RULES%20OF%20ORDER%20FOR%20COUNCIL%20(4).pdf

How seriously are you taking climate change and all the terrible dangers and catastrophes that come with it?

What if this is our last chance to save ourselves as dwellers on mother earth?

What if farmers' crops are lost annually and famine afflicts the land; wild fires burn uncontrollably; the rain either stays away for years on end or when it comes down, the skies open and the deluge wreaks utter havoc on the ground below?

All of these catastrophes are happening regularly around the world and those who are hapless victims of mother nature's rage understand too well the impact of fury she is capable of.

Also, what if climate change causes economies around the world to crash and our economy crumbles as a consequence of that? What will you do to make ends meet?

World leaders are now gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss the deepening climate emergency that the world has been plunged into. This could very well be our last chance to save ourselves.

COPE in council is your best hope because no-one has been dealing with the climate crisis as effectively, persistently and passionately as COPE over the past five years.

Vote COPE for the sake of your family and for striving to keep Cape Town resilient and safe to the extent that is possible.

Read what Andre de Ruyter is saying about Eskom.

COPE is recommending that citizens should adopt the German model of Citizen Energy Cooperatives and become directly and personally involved in electricity generation if they can.

Ordinary citizens have never had such an opportunity in South Africa before before. Now, citizens can form cooperatives and become involved in clean energy generation.

There is so much information about Citizen Energy Cooperatives readily available on the internet.

Once citizens form a cooperative or cooperatives in Cape Town, they can send a few people to Germany to study how the Citizen Energy Cooperatives work and get what help they can by partnering with the German cooperatives.

It will be such a great and rewarding investment for each investor and so good for the city as a whole in terms of abundant electricity supply.

Furthermore, this is the right time to get involved in clean energy generation because cheap finances will become increasingly available from international agencies.

We can't rely on Eskom. We must look for viable alternatives elsewhere.

Vote for COPE so that we can help our newly formed energy cooperatives to access the information they need.

https://www.sapeople.com/2021/09/17/eskom-is-being-reset-ceo-andre-de-ruyter-sets-out-how/

COPE IS OFFERING A WRITTEN 12-POINT PLAN. IS ANY OTHER PARTY DOING THAT?

For action to happen, a written plan, set out in detail, has to be in place.

When you vote for COPE, on the second ballot paper, you will be doing so knowing exactly what COPE will be inserting into the Cape Town's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) after the elections. See our manifesto.

I assure you it is worth spending 5 minutes looking at it.

It's a plan.

You will also know that COPE will be pushing for sections 152 and 153 of the Constitution to be advanced so that the municipality is compelled to "promote the social and economic development of the community." This is a constitutional requirement!

With us, everything is in black and white. This is your guarantee.

https://www.facebook.com/cllr.faroukcassim/posts/169582828394864

HERE ARE FOUR OF MY RECENT TWEETS

43s
What is the strategy for the next five years going to be? Is it going to be scoring points or ensuring the promotion of the social and economic development of communities as enjoined by sections 152 and 153 of the Constitution? What mandate will voters be giving to councillors???
Farouk Cassim

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4m
A DA with a massive majority and an opposition that is fractured works against the best interests of communities. Everyone will have seen that over the past 10 years. Opposition must get behind what is in the interest of everyone and force a deviation where that isn't the case.
Farouk Cassim

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11m
Here's another big issue for voters to consider. Which political parties and independents are willing to create a coalition to push for sections 152 and 153 of the Constitution to be advanced? COPE has been a strong proponent for coalitions to achieve results. Any response?
Farouk Cassim

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16m
If the DA does not fully and unequivocally commit to transforming the townships at an accelerated pace; and furthermore, is unwilling to declare a climate emergency, it will be important for voters to severely punish the DA. We can't be exposed to the dangers that are growing.
Farouk Cassim