DA WANTS TO IMPROVE LIVES
The Democratic Alliance has underlined that it is working on improving the lives of all South Africans.
That was the key message from leader, John Steenhuisen, at the party’s manifesto launch.
Among the key issues for the DA are:
To improve the employment rate in the country; and To ensure that communities have access to basic human rights such as water and electricity.
Steenhuisen said that, as a nation, the number one priority must be to get South Africans back into work because the solutions to almost every other problem in society would flow from this.
“Over 40% of adult South Africans don’t have work. Three quarters of them have not worked in more than a year, and almost a third have never had a job. That is our crisis,” he added.
“The only thing that can lift millions of South Africaans out of crippling poverty is the kind of economic activity that brings millions of jobs … this kind of activity doesn’t just happen. It follows good governance.
“Investors and entrepreneurs make rational decisions.They take their business where they see opportunities and where they know that their investment will be safe.
“This means they want the same things from a local government as all citizens do. Dependable electricity, clean water, reliable refuse removal, protection from criminals, well maintained roads, by-law enforcement, and knowing that public money is safely kept and reasonably spent … these things are all critical for communities, investors and entrepreneurs.
“A DA government will ensure every community has access to reliable, clean, running water that is safe to drink and to prepare food; and that there is no untreated wastewater contaminating the environment, homes, streets, and sidewalks.”
Steenhuisen said that South Africa was officially recognised as a water scarce country.
“Over two decades of underinvestment has led to old water pipes and infrastructure which increases loss of water. The reality of water scarcity means leaking pipes are a waste South Africa cannot afford,” he added.
“On top of aging infrastructure, careless water use and growing urban populations place significant pressure on already weak systems.
“Water crises in municipalities across South Africa reflect government failure at its most basic level. Water is essential to life, health, and economic development. It is the building block to human life and of every municipality.
“Poor water service delivery and illegal land invasions have, in many towns, exacerbated illegal water connections.”
Steenhuisen said South Africa’s municipal sewerage system was collapsing, adding that of the 824 treatment plants, approximately 60 of them release clean water.
“The deteriorating state of municipal wastewater and sewage treatment management in South Africa is one of the largest contributing factors to the numerous pollution problems experienced in most parts of the country and a major contributor to environmental and human health problems,” he said.
“A DA government will ensure every community has access to reliable, clean, running water that is safe to drink and to prepare food … and that there is no untreated wastewater contaminating the natural or built environment including homes, streets, sidewalks, etc.
“Where we are in government, we conduct regular testing of water quality. We will ensure our communities are not exposed to raw sewage. We will ensure fully compliant wastewater treatment works, that plant assets are wellmanaged, and that there is a strategy in place to minimise risks and ensure long-term sustainability. We have experience in effectively fighting water shortages and droughts.”
Steenhuisen also said that DA governments would ensure there was regular refurbishment and replacement of water infrastructure, and reduce reaction times to burst pipes, which is essential to reducing water losses and restoring water supply.