Housing audit needed to address access, accountability
2 July 2016
Release: Immediate
Note to editors: The following remarks were made by Andrew Louw, MPL, provincial leader of the Northern Cape, during the launch of the Democratic Alliance provincial manifesto today at the Jim Summers Hall in Kimberley.
The Democratic Alliance has a simple offer for the Local Government Elections: Where we govern, we want to continue to make progress. We are mindful of the fact that we still have a lot to do, but we are proving that real change is possible.
Where we govern, we create jobs while the ANC creates unemployment. The first Quarterly Labour Force Survey for 2016 showed that 355 000 people in the country lost their jobs in the first three months of 2016. At the same time, 4 000 new jobs were created in the DA-run City of Cape Town. The Democratic Alliance delivers! In fact, 9 of the 10 best-run municipalities in the country are governed by the Democratic Alliance. By contrast, 10 of the 10 worst municipalities in South Africa are governed by the African National Criminals! This demonstrates that the DA’s continued dedication and commitment to the poor is improving the quality of life for all citizens where we govern – by providing access to piped water, reliable electricity supply, refuse removal and proper sanitation.
Where we do not govern yet, we want to bring change that will bring the Northern Cape and the Sol Plaatje municipality forward again. This is the change that will stop corruption, create jobs and deliver better services for all.
The DA is the most diverse political party in South Africa and we are the only party with the political will to bring about change. We represent all South Africans who share our values of One Nation with One Future built on Freedom, Fairness and Opportunity. A coalition is out of the question. We do not want to talk about penalty shoot-outs while the game is still being played, but let me say this – we’d rather go into opposition and be a strong opposition than govern with another party who does not share our values and does not know how to govern.
Vote for the change needed to create jobs and opportunities!
Municipalities have to create the environment for the private sector to invest and to grow so that jobs are created. Jobs are created and people are enabled to make the most of better economic opportunities when local government creates an environment that allows the private sector to flourish. We have to do the following:
Firstly, investing in infrastructure led growth that provides an environment conducive to private sector investment that creates jobs. To make Kimberley a driver of job-creating growth, there must be an environment where businesses want to invest, where entrepreneurship can thrive and where government is supportive of economic development – not an environment where electricity prices are unaffordable, where infrastructure is crumbling and where business confidence is rock bottom!
Secondly, creating a comprehensive Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which fairly benefits all recipients. Thirdly, establish Local Economic Development one-stop-shops to provide information on investment opportunities to drive and promote job creating investment and work with local enterprises, business chambers and regional economic development agencies to promote local businesses regionally and nationally.
Fourthly, implementing bus and taxi transport systems where they are most needed and connecting people from diverse backgrounds through efficient, affordable, safe and reliable public transport. Fifthly, working with the private and non-profit sectors to ensure that a range of housing opportunities are available for different income levels (including GAP housing) and speeding up the delivery of title deeds to state-subsidised housing so that recipients have legal ownership of their homes. We also need to ensure that urban planning and zoning considers the integration of different communities;
Lastly, using government infrastructure to connect disadvantaged communities to the internet, by using municipal facilities such as public libraries and clinics to create Wi-Fi hotspot hubs and partnering with the private and non-profit sectors to provide capped free data at universal hotspot in municipal buildings and other government facilities, allowing all residents to access the internet. The internet is an amazing resource, especially for those who are seeking employment.
Vote for the change needed to stop corruption!
Corruption is the rot which steals opportunities from our youth. It is heart-breaking to travel through our province and find our youth at home during the middle of the day – they want to work, to provide for their loved ones, but there is no work. To create opportunities, we need an accountable government with zero tolerance for corruption. We implement our zero tolerance for corruption by:
Establishing an effective system to process complaints and to report corruption so that people can report any wrongdoing safely.
Appointing all government staff fairly, based on the value that they add to the organisation and not based on their political membership.
Excluding councillors and other public representatives from the EPWP recruitment to avoid any abuse of the process. EPWP opportunities must be allocated fairly; not in return for favours or because of political connections. Poverty does not know politics, does it?
Opening up the tender process at the adjudication stage and awarding tenders fairly to companies which offer the most value for money.
Opening up Council meetings so that transparent decisions are taken.
Vote for the change needed to deliver better services to all communities!
DA-led local governments lead the way in providing quality services to all residents through sound financial management, adopting innovative solutions to challenges faced and reprioritising resources to where they are needed most. By doing this, we have turned cities and towns around, creating a better living environment for all residents. We will prioritise:
Fixing potholes and maintaining all municipal roads
Providing access to electricity, potable water and sanitation
Upgrading informal settlements
Weekly refuse collection from formal and informal areas
Prioritising the regular maintenance and refurbishment of municipal infrastructure
We will make communities safer by prioritising the establishment of municipal law enforcement services for traffic policing and crime prevention.
On the 3rd of August, we can vote out corruption and vote in change – change to stop corruption, to create jobs and to deliver better services to all people in our communities.
Queries:
Andrew Louw
DA Provincial Leader in the Northern Cape
082 383 6914
Tharina Whittaker
Researcher
076 551 0312
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