Note to Editors: The following remarks were delivered by the DA North West Caucus Leader in the Provincial Legislature, Winston Rabotapi MPL, at the Alternative State of the Province Address in Mafikeng.
Kindly find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by Winston Rabotapi MPL and Afrikaans by Jacqueline Theologo MPL.
Citizens of North West,
Judging by the previous State of the Province Addresses (SOPA) delivered by Premier Job Mokgoro, we have no high expectations of the one to be delivered on Friday.
To say that his broken promises from the 2019 SOPA is disappointing, is an understatement and merely accentuates the collapsed state of this province.
After almost two years in office, the North West is still under administration, which brings this quote from American author, Frank Herbert, to mind. I quote:
“Good governance never depends on laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of government is always subordinate to the will of those who administer that machinery. The most important element of government, therefore, is the method of choosing leaders.” Unquote.
Clearly, this is the thorn in our side – the leaders chosen by the failed ANC Government does not consist of the qualities needed to successfully govern this province.
For this reason, there is not one municipality in the North West who obtained a clean audit. It is also no wonder that 13 out of 22 municipalities are under administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b). These technically bankrupt municipalities are unable to deliver the most basic services such as water, sanitation, maintenance of roads and refuse removal.
The people of Agisanang in Tswaing, Tlhabologang in Ditsobotla, Colridge in Naledi and Toevlug in JB Marks have been suffering the woes of raw sewage flowing down the streets for years on end. Residents of Ipelegeng, Setlagole and Madibe have never had piped running water in their homes. Their pleas have fallen on deaf ears – 25 years into democracy, they are left with false hope and real emotions of anger, frustration and a loss of dignity.
Due to the fact that both Departments of Finance and Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) are under administration in terms of Section 100(1)(a), little assistance is offered to failing municipalities.
These two Departments are characterized by poor municipal intervention strategies that inevitably results in a total lack of consequence management. This in turn lead to the collapse in local governance as we know it today.
Sadly, this state of collapse is not limited to local governance – the Department of Health is on its knees. During his previous SOPA, the Premier assured the public that he would be keeping a keen eye on the investigation into the controversial Buthelezi EMS contract. To date, Buthelezi ambulances are still found transporting patients around the province.
The condition of hospitals and clinics are deteriorating by the day and little is done to address the challenges of failing heating systems, shortage of beds, linen and poorly maintained infrastructure.
In the face of understaffed facilities, shortage of ambulances, medical professionals and medical supplies, it is unthinkable that the ANC-led Government would foolishly continue with their plan to implement the National Health Insurance Bill (NHI).
The NHI Bill is ambiguous in that it does not speak to the current shortage of facilities, equipment and medical professionals nor does it stipulate how the private healthcare industry will fit into this plan.
Contrary to the NHI Bill, the DA’s Sizani Health Plan will ensure the freedom of patients to seek medical treatment wherever and whenever is necessary, but also guarantee those who cannot afford private medical care to receive efficient, quality treatment.
This plan provides for a doctor-driven primary healthcare system, a system that concentrates not only on a reactive approach but also on overall wellness of South Africans. It is a plan of localizing accountability and decentralizing decision-making.
The Department of Education, which is under Section 100(1)(b), boasted with 3rd place in the country, with a reported 86% matric pass rate. However, when the high drop-out rate is taken into consideration, a dismal 37% real matric pass rate is revealed.
The correlation between the drop-out rate and scholar transport challenges, shortage of competent educators and overall poor management can no longer be ignored.
At the commencement of the academic year, learners of the Mamoratwa Combined School near Ottosdal, were informed that the school had been closed down without proper consultation with relevant stakeholders. They were bussed off to Delareyville; this despite the ongoing construction of new toilets to the tune of R5 million on the premises.
The DA fought tooth and nail to stop this school from being closed without due process and are still awaiting a reply from the MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela in response to this situation.
The safety of learners and educators remain a serious concern. In his previous SOPA, the Premier presented a bag of empty promises: R1.2 million would be allocated to school safety programmes. This has not transpired, resulting in the common practice of violent attacks on school grounds.
Economic growth in the North West leaves much to be desired. With bankrupt State-Owned Entities (SOEs), an underdeveloped tourism industry and shortage of investors, it is no wonder that an expanded unemployment rate of 46.6% has been released in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) by Statistics South Africa recently.
It is time that the Premier acknowledges that SOEs such as North West Development Corporation (NWDC), North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) and NorthWest Transport Investment (NTI) have failed in their mandates of stimulating economic growth and job creation.
In response to an oral question in the North West Provincial Legislature, the Premier stated that NWDC is not bankrupt. When considering the fact that they have no cash flow and have not achieved a clean audit in the recent past, it is evident that he was blatantly misleading the public.
In the DA run Western Cape, the City of Cape Town supports growth in the technical industry by providing funding to institutions for training and skills development. This addresses skills shortages and creates jobs.
The DA focusses on investing in economic sectors like clothing and textiles, marine manufacturing and boat building and green technology that drive demand and grows the economy.
The North West economy is largely dependent on agriculture and, during his previous SOPA, the Premier outlined various programmes that will be assisting youth and emerging farmers to enter the market. It is however alarming that once again he was mum on rural safety.
Farm attacks and murders have become synonymous with the agricultural industry causing many to opt out. The ripple effect of those leaving the industry should not be underestimated, as many rural communities are completely dependent on jobs provided by farmers and the agri-sector.
It remains shocking that the ANC-led government is standing by whilst farmers are being brutally attacked and murdered and yet refuse to declare farm murders as a priority crime.
In order to prevent more farmers from leaving the agricultural sector, we must prioritize their safety and thereby ensure that food security is not threatened any further.
Rural communities have become easy prey for violent crime due to SAPS’ failure to ensure that police officers are knowledgeable, well-trained officers. Under resourced police stations further hampers community safety.
Adding to the woes of rural communities are the dismal state of roads. Most roads in Kagisano-Molopo and Tswaing are inaccessible. This is not only impacting local economies, but also poses a serious risk in that police vehicles and ambulances cannot travel there.
Given an opportunity, the DA can clean up the maladministration in government departments and municipalities. From the 33 municipalities that we are successfully governing, it is evident that we can bring services to the people.
As further proof of our capabilities, we have achieved the following in our role as opposition in the North West in the past year:
- Rejected a provincial budget that does not cater for drought relief and issues of community safety;
- Blew the lid on corruption in the Rustenburg Local Municipality. A case was opened with the Public Protector for thorough investigation and further action;
- Made known the Premier’s failure to declare his interests by reporting him to the Public Protector and Integrity Commissioner after he misled the public under oath; and
- Exposed the ANC’s plans to utilize municipal funds to pay for accommodation during their provincial lekgotla.
I am closing with a quote from Peter the Great, “Soldiers’ bellies are not satisfied with empty promises and hopes.” With these words we call on the Premier to put his money where his mouth is.