Dear MyPE After announcing that Eskom will implement stage 1 rolling blackouts today and not anticipating any further blackouts, the utility suddenly announced this morning that due to a major setback at Medupi, stage 2 blackouts would be implemented from midday. Clearly, Eskom’s press briefing on Thursday evening was a publicity stunt to save face in the midst of an electricity meltdown. The floundering, confusion and dishonesty can no longer continue. The public needs clear answers … [Read more...] about If Eskom can’t be honest with the public, they must account to Parliament
Letters to the Editor
Education Department fails to meet needs
Dear MyPE More and more no-fee schools are being forced to impose fees on parents under the guise of compulsory donations for additional funding, because the Department of Education is failing to provide them with the necessary resources to cater for the learners they must accommodate. This was highlighted on 15 October 2019, when I, along with local councillor Pumelele Magazi, visited Gobinamba High School in Tsomo, following a request from parents in the community. South African … [Read more...] about Education Department fails to meet needs
Nelson Mandela Bay is now a lawless “gangster state”
Dear MyPE Today, 17 October 2019, the Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya, unlawfully postponed a special council meeting and an ordinary council meeting. This decision was ostensibly made on the strength of advice received from the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding an imminent and real safety threat to all councillors. Cllr Mafaya initially made this announcement by sending a SMS to all councillors. This has been exposed as a lie after … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Bay is now a lawless “gangster state”
Nelson Mandela Bay church leadership Express Concerns to SA President
Dear MyPE The open letter below has been sent to: President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mmusi Maimane Dear Sirs Concern about the falling apart of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipal Council. As the church leadership of this Metro, it pains us to bring to your attention as the national leaders of the two strongest local parties, the collapse of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, and the suffering it is causing among our parishioners and wider constituency – who are also your … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Bay church leadership Express Concerns to SA President
No Smart IDs for poor and unemployed South Africans
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) can reveal that the Department of Home Affairs has no plans to roll out Smart ID Cards to indigent and unemployed South Africans. This was revealed to the DA in a Parliamentary reply by the Minister of Home Affairs. The reply further states that Government will only provide free Smart ID Cards to the elderly and first time applicants. The DA believes this will disproportionately affect people who simply cannot afford to pay for the new Smart ID . … [Read more...] about No Smart IDs for poor and unemployed South Africans
Possible Eskom electricity cuts signals the end of Inxuba Yethemba economy
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape Government must urgently intervene before Eskom implements electricity cuts to the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality (IYLM) that will ruin the local economy and lead to large scale closure of businesses and job losses. On the 4th of October 2019 Eskom published a notice in Die Burger newspaper regarding proposed electricity cuts for up to 14 hours a day. Although Eskom has now confirmed this notice was placed in error and that it is still going to have … [Read more...] about Possible Eskom electricity cuts signals the end of Inxuba Yethemba economy
The people of Queenstown deserve a far better government
The following remarks were made today by DA Leader, Mmusi Maimane, at a public meeting in Queenstown, Eastern Cape: My fellow South Africans The current situation in the Enoch Mgijima Municipality is what happens when a government loses sight of its core responsibility. It’s what happens when people enter politics for the wrong reason – when rewarding loyal cadres becomes more important than providing crucial services to the community. This is a municipality that has all but imploded and … [Read more...] about The people of Queenstown deserve a far better government
SASCOC’s unfair exclusion of SA canoe and kayak athletes from 2020 Olympic Games
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned by reports stating that South Africa will have no representation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the Canoe and Kayak categories. The SA canoe and kayak teams have secured qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, however they might not take any part in the games due to not meeting the higher criteria set by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) which is higher than that of the International … [Read more...] about SASCOC’s unfair exclusion of SA canoe and kayak athletes from 2020 Olympic Games
Lifestyles of the rich and the shameless
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance can today, for the first time, reveal how the government has spent nearly R60 million since 2016 on the lifestyles of former presidents, former deputy presidents, and their spouses. Following a request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, the DA has obtained a copy of the “Policy on the Benefits of Executive Office,” a document published in March 2009 which outlines how the state maintains the millionaire lifestyles of former presidents, … [Read more...] about Lifestyles of the rich and the shameless
Calls for EC Departments to adopt “No Means No Worldwide” programmes in Eastern Cape Schools
Dear MyPE This week I tabled a motion in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature to address the surge of gender-based violence against women and children, through the adoption of the “No Means No Worldwide” programme in Eastern Cape schools. There is clear evidence that violence in schools in the province, against learners and teachers, is on the increase. There have been at least three fatalities on school premises with a further 79 learners and 49 teachers have been injured due to … [Read more...] about Calls for EC Departments to adopt “No Means No Worldwide” programmes in Eastern Cape Schools
Sizani Healthcare Plan will achieve what NHI can’t
The following remarks were made today by Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader, Mmusi Maimane, during a visit the Eastern Cape towns of Alexandria, Port Alfred and Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown). My fellow South Africans For a country that spends what we do on healthcare, it is shameful that so many of our citizens do not have access to decent healthcare services. South Africa spends over R220 billion across all departments and entities annually. This should be enough to pay for quality … [Read more...] about Sizani Healthcare Plan will achieve what NHI can’t
NMB Metro forced to produce Tourist Safety Plan
Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will now prioritise the local tourism economy and job creation after an urgent DA motion for a Tourist Safety Strategy was adopted. Today, 3 October 2019, during a meeting of the municipal safety and security committee, I submitted a motion of exigency to debate a Tourist Safety Strategy for the Metro. All parties agreed with the DA on the urgent need for this strategy and the committee decided the Municipality must now meet with all … [Read more...] about NMB Metro forced to produce Tourist Safety Plan
More needs to be done to protect the lives of Eastern Cape road-users
Dear MyPE Drastic action needs to be taken if we are to address the ongoing carnage on the Eastern Cape roads that is claiming the lives of thousands of loved ones across the province. This week, as we enter Transport Month, at least eight people have died and twenty-two have been seriously injured. The Democratic Alliance would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who have been tragically killed in these road accidents. This tragic loss of life is … [Read more...] about More needs to be done to protect the lives of Eastern Cape road-users
Ramaphosa must intervene and save EC farmers from crippling drought
Dear MyPE Farmers, suffering due to the crippling drought affecting the Eastern Cape, have been deserted by the provincial government and need the President of South Africa to step in and save the local agricultural sector and rural economy. Yesterday, 1 October 2019, I wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver a desperate plea for intervention, before it is too late for farmers, both commercial and emerging, in the province. (letter attached) Last week I wrote to Eastern Cape … [Read more...] about Ramaphosa must intervene and save EC farmers from crippling drought
Historic moment in EC Legislature
Dear MyPE Yesterday the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature took a historic step in adopting my motion, with amendments by the ANC, dealing with the preparedness of the province for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The thrust of this motion is to ensure that the province is fully prepared for this new period, which entails the converging of digital, physical and biological technologies and is characterised by fast moving change involving big data, automation, robotics, artificial … [Read more...] about Historic moment in EC Legislature
