Bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix on a street circuit to Cape Town, South Africa

How can a city who has been given the accolade of World Design Capital 2014 not want to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix? How can a city with the largest motorsport following in the country not want to endorse our bid to bring this pinnacle of Motorsport to our shores? How can Councillors and Committees make decisions on behalf of the public without a Public Participation Process? How can an indidual with no research qualifications be tasked with looking at 11 proposals and choose one withing 2 weeks before a committee meeting? How can politics and politicians be key decision makers when sport is supposed to unite us and be apolitical? How can you be expected to help create jobs, business opportunities when you are not given the chance to state your case and present the opportunities?
In 1999 i saw an opportunity to bring one of the 3 biggest sporting events to Cape Town. In 2005 i put it into perspective after extensive research and funding by myself. I put a team together who shared my vision and started engaging with all the stakeholders including the City of Cape Town. In the process politicians came and went other bidders came and went but Cape Town Grand Prix SA dream was still alive. We gathered support from local businesses had positive meetings with the ratepayers and various other stakeholders. In 2011 shortly after the successful hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup we continued engaging with the City of Cape Town and was constantly being given the cold shoulder and not the respect other bidders was getting. We were treated with disdain up until now and this really made me think - am i back in the Apartheid era where people of colour is not being taken seriously? I have not received any formal response from the City of Cape Town since a committees decision.
Why wasnt sound business practice followed whereby a formal response would have been in order and a public participation process to be implemented as promised by the City of Cape Town. We are piggy-backing off the 2010 SWC legacy by utilising all existing infra-structure and unlike the Soccer World Cup this is an annual event. We have been approached by international investors who see great opportunities to be shunned by a city of inexperienced decision makers.
Doesnt this City belong to all the people who live in it?
This is not a case of sour grapes, this as a case of principle and good governance.
This petition is of utmost importance not only to realise a dream built on 13 years of research and a small fortune but the opportunities that can come with it................