Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, to request that she convene an urgent meeting with industry stakeholders, to address the imminent collapse of businesses operating in the private charter sector as many are expected to once again pay thousands in annual licensing fees for 2021-2022 despite being unable to operate. The Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing global lockdown have created dire economic circumstances for many South … [Read more...] about Private Charter Operators taken for a ride
Letters to the Editor
2021’s Alternative Budget
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pleased to present our Alternative Budget 2021. This Alternative Budget focuses on the roots of South Africa’s economic crisis: too little growth and too much debt. Debt: South Africa’s debt is unsustainably high, and is too expensive. If we do not bring the price of our debt down, which is intrinsically linked to bringing the quantum of our debt down, then we will not avoid a full-blown debt crisis. The consequences of this will be … [Read more...] about 2021’s Alternative Budget
Objectives of the Ease of Doing Business Bill
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally submitted the Ease of Doing Business Private Member’s Bill to the Speaker of the National Assembly on Friday 19 February 2021, as part of our comprehensive economic reform plan aimed at boosting economic growth and improving the lives of millions of South Africans. I have requested that the Bill be placed on the Order Paper for First Reading in terms of National Assembly Rule 284(2)(a). The Bill seeks to improve the environment wherein … [Read more...] about Objectives of the Ease of Doing Business Bill
Premier must change trajectory of the Eastern Cape
Dear MyPE Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, must spell out how his government will change the trajectory of the Eastern Cape; away from a failed state and towards a caring, capable government that works, when he gives his State of the Province Address (SOPA) tomorrow, 23 February. Last year, during his previous SOPA, Premier Mabuyane committed himself to an ethical government. (Page 20) Since then, the Eastern Cape has been drowning under a tsunami of allegations of corruption and … [Read more...] about Premier must change trajectory of the Eastern Cape
Thousands abandoned without payment
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted Parliamentary Questions to the Department of Education (DoE) after thousands of youths did not receive remuneration after being appointed under the Education Employment Initiative (EEI). The EEI was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April 2020, with National Treasury committing R7 billion for the EEI project. The EEI announced that 300 000 job opportunities were to be created for young South Africans and School Governing … [Read more...] about Thousands abandoned without payment
Premier must appoint Health MEC of competence and calibre
Dear MyPE It is time to chart a new course for the Department of Health in our province. The Premier now has a golden opportunity to appoint a person of calibre and competence to change the fortunes of the bruised and battered Department. Unfortunately, the new incumbent will be inheriting the mess left behind by their predecessor. A corrupt, bankrupt Department that is rotten to the core. The provincial response to the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed in shocking, and often tragic, detail … [Read more...] about Premier must appoint Health MEC of competence and calibre
Buffalo City must hold staff involved in illegal strike responsible for damages
Dear MyPE The DA condemns in the strongest possible terms the current strike action taking place throughout Buffalo City Metro Municipality (BCMM). This illegal strike has been accompanied by the destruction of property, setting of fires and disruption and intimidation of work sites, including clinics. Employees have the right to peaceful protest, but no stretch of the imagination would consider what is taking place across the municipality as peaceful. This behaviour is strongly … [Read more...] about Buffalo City must hold staff involved in illegal strike responsible for damages
Public service employees continue to conduct business with the State unabated
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to urgently review the efficacy and effectiveness of the Public Service Regulations of 2016 (Regulations). This follows the shocking revelations made to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration (Portfolio Committee), on Wednesday, highlighting the lack of compliance and accountability in relation to these Regulations. It was revealed to the Portfolio Committee that … [Read more...] about Public service employees continue to conduct business with the State unabated
Dismissal of Health MEC Welcomed
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance welcomes the news that Premier Oscar Mabuyane has fired Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba. The dismissal of MEC Gomba is long overdue, as the DA has been calling for Mabuyane to fire her since May last year. Gomba’s performance as the MEC for Health since her appointment has been plagued with failures, weak leadership and serious allegations of corruption. Given the cloud that has been hanging over her, it is unbelievable that it has taken so long for … [Read more...] about Dismissal of Health MEC Welcomed
Urgent intervention needed following Volkswagen field hospital’s imminent closure
Dear MyPE The DA will write to the Eastern Cape Premier following the announcement that the Volkswagen sponsored Dr Elizabeth Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni Field Hospital is facing closure and that hundreds of contract healthcare workers are losing their jobs. This is just the tip of the iceberg, with similar scenarios playing out across the province and we request urgent intervention. At the same time as Premier Oscar Mabuyane was claiming victory in securing 625 nurses tenure, after it was … [Read more...] about Urgent intervention needed following Volkswagen field hospital’s imminent closure
We are set to govern Eastern Cape Karoo in 2021
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes it can save Eastern Cape Karoo towns like Cradock and Graaff-Reinet, and govern the municipalities of Inxuba Yethemba and Dr Beyers Naude after the 2021 Local Government Elections. Yesterday, 16 February 2021, I was joined by DA Kouga Mayor, Cllr Horatio Hendricks, in hosting a very successful virtual public meeting to share the DA’s vision for the Eastern Cape Karoo with Inxuba Yethemba and Dr Beyers Naude residents. Towns like Cradock … [Read more...] about We are set to govern Eastern Cape Karoo in 2021
NERSA’s ineptitude contributing to escalating cost of electricity tariffs
Dear MyPE The decision of the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) to award Eskom a 15% increase on its bulk tariffs is a slap in the face of the people of South Africa, especially in light of the Covid pandemic and its impact on peoples’ ability to earn a living or pay their bills. It is a fact (proven in several recent court cases) that NERSA has demonstrated its incompetence in determining electricity tariffs that are accurate and cost reflective – and much more must be done to ensure that … [Read more...] about NERSA’s ineptitude contributing to escalating cost of electricity tariffs
Calls made for a commission of Inquiry into the operational viability of Eskom
Dear MyPE Eskom’s constant push for higher tariffs and the sobering reality that it has become operationally incapable of meeting electricity demand, is a contradiction that confirms that Eskom’s broken model has run its course and cannot be allowed to continue. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is therefore calling for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to look into the operational, financial and governance constraints at Eskom, and the impact it is having on livelihoods, … [Read more...] about Calls made for a commission of Inquiry into the operational viability of Eskom
Mabuyane: The Mad Hatter at the Magwa tea party
Dear MyPE Premier Oscar Mabuyane is the Mad Hatter at the Magwa tea party, dishing out hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ rands to produce some of the most expensive tea in the world. Not only has Premier Mabuyane used taxpayers’ money with wilful abandon to produce the tea, he also wants provincial government departments and local municipalities to use even more taxpayers’ money to buy the tea produced. If anything, Magwa should be providing tea to government free of charge, … [Read more...] about Mabuyane: The Mad Hatter at the Magwa tea party
Beneficiaries of the Tourism Equity Fund must be made public
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to both the Tourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, and to the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) requesting that the applicants and beneficiaries the Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) be made public. This follows a presentation from SEFA to the Portfolio Committee of Tourism regarding the TEF. The presentation confirmed that the Fund’s real objective is to grow connected ANC elites. The DA’s concerns are that the TEF: Is concerned … [Read more...] about Beneficiaries of the Tourism Equity Fund must be made public
