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DA Gauteng debates Motion on Virtual Spatial Mapping

The following speeches were delivered in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature today by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport, Fred Nel MPL and DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Petitions, Lebo More MPL, during a debate on introducing spatial mapping models for Gauteng City Region programmes.

Speech by

Fred Nel MPL

“Gauteng’s current spatial planning initiatives built on sand”

• In a fast-developing province like Gauteng we need every planning tool we can get to ensure the proper development of Africa’s economic powerhouse. The motion refers to the challenge that apartheid spatial planning and development has left us with today and the DA is equally committed to eradicate this legacy;
• We need to get low-income workers closer to their jobs so that they can spend less on transport and spend more time with their families;
• Gauteng needs to prioritise its economic focus. The world around us is changing and we need to make an honest assessment as to whether Gauteng is future proof with regards to its planned economic development; and
• It is time for the Gauteng Government to modernize, we need to become a truly smart province that utilises technology as an indispensable partner in our socio-economic and spatial development initiatives.

The full speech can be obtained here.

Speech by

Lebo More MPL

“Virtual mapping of the province should be conducted inclusively”

• The Gauteng City Region Observatory collects and stores useful data, conducts surveys, develops new data sources and GIS mapping and analysis. Data is then converted into innovative products, which must include virtual modelling for a modernised government;
• Why do we want to decide what is to happen, with regards to spatial planning, without the inputs of those that we say we represent? and
• The Gauteng City Region includes all municipalities in the province, it is therefore imperative that the Provincial government works together with all local government structures in order to effect meaningful change which will see lower-income households and small businesses in the province succeed.

The full speech can be obtained here.

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Budget Vote Speeches: Economic Development

Note to editors: The following speeches were delivered in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature today by the DA’s Shadow MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Janet Semple MPL, Spokesperson for Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Janho Engelbrecht MPL, and Spokesperson for Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Ina Cilliers MPL, during the 2015/16 Annual Budget Debate on the Department of Economic Development.

 

Focused Intervention and Less Fluff to Stimulate Gauteng Job Growth

Speech by: Janet Semple MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs 
  • Gauteng is home to the most unemployed and out-of education labour force in the country at a shocking rate of 49.9%.
  • A person with a job is a person with dignity, a person who can hold his or her up head high before their family, a person who can put bread on the table.
  • Businesses dependant on state contracts and tenders are not increasing competition.
  • There is no programme around red tape reduction or any assessment of business processes to see where the state is creating bottlenecks.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

 

Ten True Pillars of Economic Transformation Required in Gauteng

Speech by: Janho Engelbrecht MPL – DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs

If one look at the priorities and strategic objectives of the Department and the 10 pillars of the province, it reads like a page out of a political catchphrase textbook.

  • Redress should be an all-inclusive process, not exclusively for the well connected. In doing so it will allow access to capital, allow participation in the economy, and increase ownership.
  • For the many millions of unemployed in Gauteng, this administration sets itself above its people.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

 

Economic Budget Lacks Transformative Substance

Speech by: Ina Cilliers MPL – DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs

 

  • The department will not be looking at a red tape reduction unit then, this despite the National Department of Small Business’ decision to emulate the Western Cape’s unit earlier this year.
  • How will a township entrepreneur benefit from business infrastructure placed in his backyard if it still takes him months to register his business and cannot attract investors or expand his payroll without understanding how red tape will affect him?

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Media enquiries:

 Janet Semple

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs

082 462 8239

 

Janho Engelbrecht

DA Gauteng Spokesperson: Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs

060 556 4343

 

Ina Cilliers

DA Gauteng Spokesperson: Economic Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs

060 556 4344

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Curro School: HRC must investigate non-compliance

Racial segregation

The DA calls on the Human Rights Commission (HRC) to investigate why the Curro School in Roodeplaat failed to implement recommendations to rectify the racial segregation of learners.

In February, the school’s management admitted to “making a mistake” after it was found to have split learners into classrooms according to race.

However, it appears that school management’s remorse was short-lived as video footage has emerged showing learners being racially segregated before going on a school trip.

Redress

The DA strongly condemns such continued racist behaviour, and we call on the HRC to conduct a full review of the Curro School’s compliance with the recommendations made by the Chapter 9 body after the initial complaint.

Schools should be places of learning where talents and career paths are identified – not where discrimination is taught or practiced.

Reconciliation

Learners should realise that South Africa is dealing with a painful past that requires redress and reconciliation if we are to build one nation with one future.

Apartheid and segregation is part of that painful past, and denied the majority of South Africans the freedom, rights and opportunities to live a better life.

We therefore believe that the HRC, along with the education department, school management and parents, should agree on an additional educational programme to be presented at Curro, covering the country’s history and the need to redress past discrimination.

The DA believes that a prosperous South Africa can only be realised when all young people are afforded the opportunity to receive equal and quality education, irrespective of their race or social standing.

Media enquiries:
Khume Ramulifho, MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education
082 398 7375

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