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DA Debates Workers’ Day

Note to editors: The following speeches were delivered in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature today by the DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Social Development Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of COGTA&HS, Fred Nel MPL, and DA Spokesperson on Community Safety, Michele Clarke MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL, during a debate on Workers’ Day.

 

Speech by: Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL

“High unemployment rate casts shadow on Worker’s day”

  • We cannot celebrate a country spiraling on a downward trend where over 700 jobs are lost per day.
  • The economy is not growing fast enough, corruption under ANC watch has been rampant, and higher education opportunities are few if you are poor.
  • It is equally shocking to note that the exposure of young South Africans to hunger is increasing. That is why I say, we cannot celebrate the freedom of workers while forgetting that so many are not working.
  • More importantly, the establishment of workers day is about a culture of human and worker rights and to ensure that these are enshrined in the national law. The real fight for today remains ensuring all South Africans economically active.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Speech by: Fred Nel MPL

“South Africa’s economic growth too low to create employment”

  • Unions started out to improve the working conditions of workers especially those who worked in dirty and unsafe factories.
  • One could argue that unions have morphed into organisations reaching beyond their core function in society.
  • It is difficult to celebrate this day when a quarter of our population do not have employment opportunities available to them.
  • South Africa’s economic growth rate is too low to create jobs, in fact jobs are being cut as a result of this low growth, however, the situation can be turned around through the DA’s Vision 2029.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Speech by: Michele Clarke MPL

“Workers’ day should focus on transformation and job creation”

  • Histories that should never be taken for granted as they lead the way in establishing the rights and opportunities we enjoy today
  • For too many South Africans the political freedom achieved in 1994 has not been matched with economic freedom under the current government.  The fact that, one out of every four South Africans, does not have a job is in an indictment on the notion of economic freedom.
  • Workers day should be focused on transformation and escaping poverty.
  • Commitment to economic transformation is a priority for the DA in government. Where the DA governs, 80% of tenders over R100 000 going to black owned firms.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Speech by: Khume Ramulifho MPL

“A fair society creates work opportunities for everyone”

  • It is unfortunate that certain labour unions abuse workers’ rights by engaging in illegal strikes, vandalize public facilities or use violent methods to express their frustrations whenever their expectations or demands are not met.
  • There are many who have given up, others are considering giving up because they have been looking for job opportunities with no success
  • In order to create a fair society, people must get opportunity to work.
  • It is time to encourage innovation and creative thinking. The idea should be to broaden the pool of employed people.
  • Just imagine South Africa under the DA led government where we become a beacon of hope with a strong growing economy which creates countless job opportunities.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

 

Media enquiries:

Refiloe Nt’sekhe

DA Shadow MEC for Social Development

060 558 8297

 

Fred Nel MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC on Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements

083 263 2427

 

Michele Clarke MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Community Safety

060 558 8299

 

Khume Ramulifho MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC on Education

082 398 7375

[Image source]

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SPEECH BY MS REFILOE NT’SEKHE, MPL ON WORKER’S DAY, DELIVERED IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2016

High unemployment rate casts shadow on Worker’s day

Thank you madam speaker,

Workers’ Day is a national public holiday in South Africa and since 1994, it has been celebrated on 1 May of each year.

It is rather unfortunate that we use the verb ‘celebrate’, when the real term we should be using is commemorated because celebrating implies a jovial spirit, yet our present circumstances in South Africa prove otherwise.

We cannot celebrate a country spiraling on a downward trend where over 700 jobs are lost per day.

Where are the jobs that South Africans were promised in 2009?

We cannot be satisfied as leaders in South Africa at large when we see the people especially the youth living with a sense of hopeless.

The recently released statistics by Mr. Pali Lehohla are a reflection of the hope many South Africans are losing.

The ‘Vulnerable Group Series I: The Social Profile of the Youth 2009-2014’ released by Statistics South Africa reveals that structural inequality continues to keep young black South Africans jobless and stuck in poverty.

These disturbing findings should be a call to all leaders to rise to the challenge.

The economy is not growing fast enough, corruption under ANC watch has been rampant, and higher education opportunities are few if you are poor.

According to the report, unemployment amongst black South Africans of all age groups is the highest at 28.6%. Of those who are unemployed, 66.6% are black South Africans in the age group of 15-34. Further to this unemployment amongst young people in age bracket of 15-35 has increased over the last five years to 36.8%.

It is equally shocking to note that the exposure of young South Africans to hunger is increasing. That is why I say, we cannot celebrate the freedom of workers while forgetting that so many are not working.

Look at the trends and the increase in the number of grants. Grants have proven to assist the most vulnerable members of our society to survive, yet they hardly ever empower them to be workers and eventually job-creators.

Equally concerning is the pool of people who contribute to the tax base are in decline.

Is it not logical that: for an economy to flourish, one needs to get more people off social welfare and create an environment for economically activity and growth?

Moreover, Stats SA reports that there is a decline in the number of black South Africans completing bachelor’s degrees over the years.

The percentage of workers in skilled occupations has declined for black South Africans aged 24-34.

Workers day may have its origins within the historical struggles of workers and their trade unions for solidarity between working people in their struggles to win fair employment standards.

However, today’s workers day should be dedicated to those without employment who fight every day get a job to put food on the table.

More importantly, the establishment of workers day is about a culture of human and worker rights and to ensure that these are enshrined in the national law. The real fight for today remains ensuring all South Africans economically active.

Mr.Pali Lehohla’s sentiments should inspire us as leaders to pursue the radical change needed to move our country forward.

The DA is ready to rise to this challenge and has in fact started by having the lowest unemployment rate of 24.5% in the DA-led Western Cape and 19% in other municipalities.

I thank you.

Media enquiries:

Refiloe Nt’sekhe

DA Shadow MEC for Social Development

060 558 8297

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SPEECH BY MR FRED NEL, MPL ON WORKER’S DAY, DELIVERED IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2016

South Africa’s Economic Growth Rate Too Low to Create Jobs

Workers’ Day started as a commemoration of the struggles that workers had to overcome during their campaigns to improve working conditions. These struggles often ended in bloodshed and death of workers as they demanded better treatment. It is often also associated with the trade union movement that organised workers and fought for their rights since the late 1800’s.

Unions started out to improve the working conditions of workers especially those who worked in dirty and unsafe factories. It also started to bargain on behalf of workers for a fair wage and later started entering politics.

Although the initial purpose that brought about labour unions was noble, one could argue that unions have morphed into organisations reaching beyond its core function in society.

However, we cannot talk about Workers’ day in South Africa without looking at employment. It is difficult to celebrate this day when a quarter of our population do not have employment opportunities available to them. In fact, this number is growing more working South Africans are joining the ranks of the unemployed.

A clear indication of this is the drop in labour union membership in the country. We have seen in the last year that large unions like NUM and SAMWU reported major drops in membership figures. This cannot be attributed to increased competition among labour unions alone, but is mainly associated with job losses.

These losses are a direct consequence of a lack of economic growth in South Africa. According to Mineweb/ Bloomberg:

“Even without labour upheaval, the growth prospects in Africa’s most industrialised economy are looking dire. The National Treasury expects the economy to expand less than 1% this year, undermining efforts to cut a 25% unemployment rate, while the nation’s credit rating is on the brink of being downgraded to junk. The risk of political turmoil is also rising…

NUM has also been weakened by the firing of tens of thousands of its members in response to the commodity price slump. The mining industry employed 462,000 people in the final quarter of last year, 5.9% less than in the same period the year before, and down from a peak of more than 800,000 in the 1980s, according to the national statistics agency. Mining production fell for a sixth straight month in February, contracting an annual 8.7%, the agency’s data shows.”

In short, South Africa’s economic growth rate is too low to create jobs, in fact jobs are being cut as a result of this low growth.

However, this situation can be turned around. The DA launched its vision for South Africa in 2015 known as Vision 2029. As part of this plan the DA recently launched its five point job creation plan that aims to generate employment through the following focus areas.

  • Invest in integrated energy, transport and ICT infrastructure for job creation;
  • Give more people the education and skills they need to get a job;
  • Radically reform the labour regime to support job creation;
  • Provide direct incentives for job creation; and,
  • Create a nation of entrepreneurs by making it easier for South Africans to start and grow their own small businesses.

There is no freedom in poverty. There is no fairness in being kept poor. There are no opportunities for the poor.

We need to turn this around by establishing a society where individuals and business are free to access and participate in the economy instead of being restricted by unnecessary government regulation and red tape.

We must promote fair labour practices but not draconian labour laws. We need to provide proper education and training in order to provide equal access to employment opportunities for South Africans.

If we do this we can employ the 25% unemployed South Africans. Moreover, we could in future truly celebrate workers day rather than ignoring unemployment issues.

 

Media enquiries:

Fred Nel MPL

DA Gauteng MEC on Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements

083 263 2427

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SPEECH BY MRS MICHELE CLARKE, MPL ON WORKER’S DAY, DELIVERED IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2016

May Day has become an annual celebration of workers day, a day when workers demonstrate their common interests and international solidarity.

The DA calls on every South African to take time out on the 1st of May to celebrate the efforts of all workers and to thank them for the contribution they make to society and our economy.

Labour unions and workers were key to dismantling apartheid. It is important for those born after the dawn of democracy in 1994 to know about the history of heroes like Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Chris Hani and OR Tambo which led to freedom.

Histories that should never be taken for granted as they lead the way in establishing the rights and opportunities we enjoy today.

These leaders of selfless commitment gave to the struggle, seeking no personal enrichment. The ANC has changed under the leadership of Jacob Zuma.

For too many South Africans the political freedom achieved in 1994 has not been matched with economic freedom under the current government.  The fact that, one out of every four South Africans, does not have a job is in an indictment on the notion of economic freedom.

One of the most urgent and critical challenges facing our country is desperate need for job creation. We need to diversify our economy in order to create sustainable jobs for all our people in our Province.

Workers day should be focused on transformation and escaping poverty. But what does transformation really mean, what are the reasons for poverty and how do we as government address this?

Real transformation is not about enriching cadres of the ANC with BEE deals nor giving jobs and tenders to friends and family members. This will not transform society, this practice only enriches an inclusive cadre grouping

Transformation is by instilling hope into communities so that they can believe in the future again.

Real transformation stems from access to quality education as well as security of tenure through title deeds. Additionally, access to basic services and a continuous breakdown of Apartheid spatial planning and socio-economic systems.

If we want to talk about real transformation this is where we should start.

Business should be the driver of new jobs, not the enemy of the unemployed.

Chapter three of the NDP talks about Government dealing with poverty and giving people without an income access to economic opportunities and labour markets. There should be a greater focus on integrating economic development and the employment needs of all people, especially the poor.

Commitment to economic transformation is a priority for the DA in government. Where the DA governs, 80% of tenders over R100 000 going to black owned firms. But businesses incubated by the state should not become dependent on the state. These businesses should be networked with each other so that they do business to business and business to consumer deals. This is how you create jobs, break down concentration and monopolies – by giving small business more opportunity

Progressive governance such as this empowers previously disadvantaged South Africans on an on-going basis and is a sign of the DA’s commitment to redress.

Cutting of red tape should be a priority to ensure that entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses. Existing legislation should be reviewed to ensure compliance costs for small business is minimized.

Not only should government departments make it easier for small businesses to win government contracts but they should and pay them on time.

The government should speak with one voice about the economy and jobs. Policy uncertainly hinders business, growth and employment.

In line with the DA’s jobs and economic policies, we will continue to provide a voice to the unemployed, communicate our plan to create jobs, and continue to put pressure on government departments by highlighting their constant failure to see the need of hundreds of thousands vulnerable South Africans that are unemployed.

Human dignity is the basis of Human rights, however this can only be achieved when government creates an environment for all citizens to prosper.

 

Media enquiries:

Michele Clarke MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Community Safety

060 558 8299

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SPEECH BY MR KHUME RAMULIFHO, MPL ON WORKER’S DAY, DELIVERED IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2016

A fair society creates work opportunities for all

Workers must celebrate and have fulfilment in their jobs. They have rights which are guaranteed by The Constitution.  Legislations such as Labour Relations Act outlining Basic Conditions of Employment, Occupational Health and Safety Act ensure tools that are effective in protecting them.

It is unfortunate that certain labour unions abuse workers’ rights by engaging in illegal strikes, vandalize public facilities or use violent methods to express their frustrations whenever their expectations or demands are not met.

Certain leaders threaten those who chose to work, even when their actions are unlawful. The ‘Pikitup strike’ is one typical example. The “no work no pay rule” affects those who don’t report to work because of fear to be victimized.

While Workers’ Day is recognized and celebrated in South Africa, few people have access to this opportunity. So many people have never worked and earn an income in their life. This affects both skilled and unskilled people.

There are many who have given up, others are consider giving up because they have been looking for job opportunities with no success.

The current unemployment rate and countless poverty alleviation programmes attest to this challenge.

In order to create a fair society, people must get opportunity to work.

The solution is to attract local and international investors. This will be possible when government is prepared to cut red tape.

The DA believes that government should be accountable and protect jobs and businesses by ensuring the timeous payment of service providers within 30 days.

 

Media Enquiries:

Khume Ramulifho, MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Education

082 398 7375

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DA Debates Freedom Day

Note to editors: The following speeches were delivered in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature today by the DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, John Moodey MPL and DA Spokesperson on Economic Development, Ashor Sarupen MPL, during a debate on Freedom Day.

 

Speech by: John Moodey MPL

 “Millions jobless despite 22 years of freedom”

  • 22 years of the peoples’ choice in government and the best constitution in the world yet far too many of our people are still struggling.
  • Millions of South Africans are still in chains and denied their dignity and are robbed of a brighter future.
  • 22 years on yet far too many of our people will remain oppressed by unemployment and poverty – they are denied quality basic services, their future remains bleak because of corruption and self-enrichment by those in authority.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Speech by: Ashor Sarupen MPL

“The DA embodies the values of uTata Madiba”

  • On the 27th of April 1994, we as a nation cast off our shackles, our prejudices, forgave each other, and, for the first time, elected a government on the basis of one person, one vote.
  • Using stereotypes to discredit people is wrong.
  • Verwoerd’s dream was to box people in on identity politics. To say that if you are Indian, or black, or coloured you live only in certain areas, practice certain religions, sound only a certain way with a certain language and can only attain a certain level of education was his dream – and it was wrong. It was evil.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Media enquiries:

John Moodey MPL

DA Gauteng Caucus Leader

082 960 3743

 

Ashor Sarupen

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Social Development

060 558 8303

[Image source]

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SPEECH BY MR ASHOR SARUPEN, MPL ON FREEDOM DAY, DELIVERED IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2016

The DA embodies the values of uTata Madiba

Thank You Madame Speaker.

I had started school in 1994. My memories of our first election, to be honest, was that I had a day off from school. I remember being even more excited that I got a full three days off from school when voting had to be extended. I even hoped for a fourth day to be added. I was only 6 years old and I did not understand the gravity of the situation, the changes that were happening, or the impact that this would have on history.

It is only now, as an adult, looking back, that I can truly appreciate how lucky I was to have been alive during this time.

On the 27th of April 1994, we as a nation cast off our shackles, our prejudices, forgave each other, and, for the first time, elected a government on the basis of one person, one vote. The ballot knew no colour, no creed, no gender – it expressed the will of everyone who participated. It produced our first ever government of the people, by the people. It led to our constitution, widely acknowledged to be the gold standard as far as constitutions go the world over.

My childhood memories of the time before and after that election was stark. I was enrolled in the Indian-only school in Springs but shortly after that election my parents made the necessary financial sacrifices to get me into a former whites-only school Little did I realise at the time that the reason I didn’t start my schooling there was because of the colour of my skin.

I remember my parents having a sense of uncertainty before that election, but a sense of confidence after.

I took for granted that I could have all my friends at my childhood birthday parties regardless of the colour of their skin. It didn’t even occur to any of us that this wouldn’t have been allowed a decade earlier.

Which is why, for me, it is incredibly disappointing when our political discourse descends into insults based on identity politics rather than ideas. To discredit arguments, there are people engaged in our discourse who make fun of people based on their accents, their skin tone, their backgrounds and not their ideas. This is wrong. Using stereotypes to discredit people is wrong.

Verwoed’s dream was to box people in on identity politics. To say that if you are Indian, or black, or coloured you live only in certain areas, practice certain religions, sound only a certain way with a certain language and can only attain a certain level of education was his dream – and it was wrong. It was evil.

Those in this house and in our political discourse who perpetuate this do a disservice to our democratic project and the values of our constitution and the hope people felt in 1994.

I could name members in this house who continue to do this, but in the spirit of the values I refer to, I will not. You know who you are.

Rather, I will commend those members with whom I have political differences, who disagree with me on the issues and on policies, but never insult or degrade anyone because of how they look, how they sound, or the colour of their skin. Because, this helps me keep the faith that our democracy can still work.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Khumalo, Honourable Magerman, Honourable Mmbata, and especially Honourable Nkabinda, thank you for adhering to non-racial values.

There are a small handful of others, but time is limited – thank you too. Whatever our political differences, at least you take me on for my ideas and not my identity. I still think some of your ideas are wrong, but we have a few more years to debate.

Lastly, thank you to every member of the DA caucus – my own caucus embodies the dream of the rainbow nation, my own caucus does not play identity politics and my own caucus makes me feel part of a family. Thank you especially for waving the flag for non-racialism and embodying the values of Nelson Mandela and our constitution.

 

Media enquiries:

Ashor Sarupen

DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Economic Development

060 558 8303

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SPEECH BY MR JOHN MOODEY, MPL ON FREEDOM DAY, DELIVERED IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2016

Millions jobless despite 22 years of freedom

Honourable Speaker

It was a Sunday afternoon and about one kilometre from our home in Western Township. We were confronted by a group of about 10 very young men who beat my dad to a pulp. It took about five months to recover from the assault – six weeks thereof as he was hospitalised. When my mom reported the incident to the police their response was “wat het die hotnot daar gesoek!”

Yes we were reduced to the status of sub-human under an oppressive regime that we had no hand in choosing.

Voltaire once said and I quote: “Man is born free yet, everywhere he is in chains.” We cannot deny our past a very painful past, most of us in this house spent the better part of our lives living in chains.

It is the experiences such as the one I mentioned, that gave us the strength to persevere, fight and to overcome.

The dream became a reality 22 years ago.

After decades of struggle and a few years of negotiations we were free to choose the government of our choice – Our Constitution the supreme law of our country finally recognised all of us black, white, coloured or Indian as equals before the law.

22 years of the peoples’ choice in government and the best constitution in the world yet far too many of our people are still struggling.

Millions of South Africans are still in chains and denied there dignity and are robbed of a brighter future.

22 years on yet far too many of our people will remain oppressed by unemployment and poverty – they are denied quality basic services, their future remains bleak because of corruption and self-enrichment by those in authority.

Friends and colleagues, we in this house need to constantly remind ourselves why we are here, who put us here and what our mandate is.

What do our people expect from us? Are we really representing the interests of all the residents in Gauteng? Are we candidly doing everything possible to improve the plight of our people and to address their challenges?

Are we truly working on building a better South Africa with a brighter future and are we satisfied with what we as individuals have achieved.

Honourable members, let us find the true meaning of freedom, may it be economically, just and fair with the values enshrined in our Constitution to continue to seek opportunities to lift South Africans out of poverty.

 

Media enquiries:

John Moodey MPL

DA Gauteng Caucus Leader

082 960 3743

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Soshanguve Hospital Delayed By Land Allocation

Planned Soshanguve Hospital

The planned hospital in Soshanguve has been delayed by the initial allocation of land by the Tshwane Council that was too small, and needed to be replaced by a larger stand.

This information was given by Premier David Makhura in an oral reply to my questions today in the Gauteng Legislature.

Makhura said that the hospital was being built by the National Health Department in cooperation with the Gauteng Health Department and the Tshwane Metro Council.

National Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi

Planning for the hospital will be finalized in the current financial year and construction should start in the 2017/18 financial year.

National Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi had announced in August 2014 at the opening of the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital that the Soshanguve Hospital would be the next hospital built in Gauteng, and it should be finished within 18 to 24 months.

Makhura said that the first piece of land identified by Tshwane was too small and they were in the process of transferring a larger piece of appropriate land.

Gauteng Department Health

The Gauteng Health Department will take over the running of the new hospital when it is built.

If all goes to plan, the hospital should open in 2019, about five years after Motsoaledi made his announcement that it would be built.

This is not speedy progress and it remains to be seen whether the present deadlines are met.

It is strange that the national health department is building a provincial hospital, but I hope that it is built on schedule as there is a desperate need for it in Soshanguve.

 

Media enquiries:

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

[Image source]

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Gauteng ANC Refuses To Publically Denounce President Zuma

ANC Speaker in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Lenteng Mekwge, has shielded her political bosses, Gauteng Premier David Makhura and ANC Provincial Chairman, Paul Mashatile from going on record and distancing themselves from oath-breaker, President Jacob Zuma.

The DA requested that the Legislature debate whether the ANC led Provincial Government distances itself from President Jacob Zuma, who was found guilty of breaking his oath of office by the Constitutional Court.

Residents of Gauteng have been left confused by the utterances of Premier Makhura and Paul Mashatile who have indicated that they are unhappy with the national ANC’s decision to slap Zuma on the wrists and want him to step down as President.

Their comments, and the action taken by Speaker Mekgwe today, indicate that this is nothing but cheap political grandstanding and electioneering, as was the case with the contentious e-toll matter.

Again, the ANC in Gauteng has proven that it is no different from the ANC it pretends it wants to change, but rather it takes its orders from Luthuli House and not from the will of the people.

 

Media enquiries:

John Moodey MPL

DA Gauteng Provincial Leader

082 960 3743

[Image source]