Dear MyPE Would like to inform the public. We bought a brand new gas stove from Fennels Walmer and asked what they would charge for delivery and the sales lady said it was free. The wrong stove (cheaper unit) was delivered. We then contacted them and the manager/owner then brought the correct stove but it was the demo from the showroom floor. No apology was given and when my husband informed him that the wrong unit's box said Gamtoos he was told "what ever". Most unfriendliest manager/owner. … [Read more...] about Bad experience with Fennels Walmer Branch
Letters to the Editor
Gang violence at schools needs to be addressed urgently
Dear MyPE The number of gang related incidents of violence at schools across the Eastern Cape is a major concern, with three fatalities on school premises already recorded. In addition to this, 79 learners and 49 teachers have been injured due to gang related violence in schools. This is unacceptable! No child or teacher should fear being assaulted at school. No child should fear losing their life while seeking an education! These statistics were made available by Education MEC, … [Read more...] about Gang violence at schools needs to be addressed urgently
Which is the worst Metro at revenue collection and expenditure?
Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has been ranked the worst performing of the eight Metros in South Africa in terms of aggregate revenue collection (at 85% of budgeted revenue) as well as worst performing in terms of expenditure (at 83.2% of budgeted expenditure). These statistics form part of National Treasury’s preliminary report of Local Government Revenue and Expenditure Results released this week. The Treasury report gave a range of aggregate trends. According to the … [Read more...] about Which is the worst Metro at revenue collection and expenditure?
Cancelled games against Bafana Bafana should not be taken lightly
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted with concern the calling off of international friendly matches between Bafana Bafana and their African counterparts. The withdrawal of teams from the friendly matches is a clear message: ‘fix your broken country!’ Madagascar has joined Zambia in calling off a football match against South Africa. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) were due to host Bafana Bafana in Lusaka on Saturday, but they pulled out because of the surge in … [Read more...] about Cancelled games against Bafana Bafana should not be taken lightly
Zimbabwe will one day shine again as the Jewel of Africa
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted reports confirming the passing of former Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe. He will be remembered for his conflicting legacy as a liberator towards independence and an oppressor of the democratic values he once fought for. President Mugabe oversaw the rise of Zimbabwe as an independent and prosperous Republic but he also oversaw the decline of Zimbabwe into a tyrannical dictatorship which violently repressed opposition and brutalized … [Read more...] about Zimbabwe will one day shine again as the Jewel of Africa
Unemployment crisis erodes the human dignity of millions
The following speech by Zak Mbhele MP - DA Shadow Minister of Small Business Development, was delivered yesterday during Parliament’s Debate on the Unemployment Crisis. Chairperson, the unemployment crisis in our country is undoubtedly our biggest challenge and it requires all social actors to do their part to contribute to its reduction. It is a socio-economic epidemic, it is deeply entrenched and it has multiple corrosive effects on many fronts and at many levels. This unemployment crisis … [Read more...] about Unemployment crisis erodes the human dignity of millions
Our unemployment crisis requires action, not talk
The following speech was delivered yesterday by Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader, Mmusi Maimane, during an urgent debate in Parliament on the unemployment crisis in South Africa. Honourable Members There is no doubt we are a nation in crisis. As we speak, large parts of Gauteng are a war zone as attacks on foreign nationals continue unabated. Women and children are being raped and murdered every day. Truck drivers have become sitting ducks in ongoing attacks and children disappear … [Read more...] about Our unemployment crisis requires action, not talk
“The captive spirit: bipolar creativity and genius”
We are seduced by people, individuals’ who achieve extraordinarily. I never thought I would be living the life that I am living now. I am literally living out my dream. I am a poet, and a writer. I was very much in love with the stage as a child. I was four. I started reading when I was four. I was eight when I wrote my first poem. My friends were writing stories about Barbie and Ken. I was quoting Shakespeare. I took part in plays when I was very young, all through high school. Lead role in the … [Read more...] about “The captive spirit: bipolar creativity and genius”
Security Cluster must provide daily updates to the nation until law and order is restored
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa to impress upon him the need for the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster to provide daily updates on the country's security situation until law and order is restored. The President must provide leadership during this crisis and ensure that the nation is kept informed. The JCPS is headlined by the Departments of Police, Home Affairs, Justice and Correctional Services, and Defence and Military … [Read more...] about Security Cluster must provide daily updates to the nation until law and order is restored
Critical vacancies need to be filled as a matter of urgency
Dear MyPE Critical vacancies in Eastern Cape provincial departments need to be filled as a matter of urgency, as these posts are related to service delivery and are vital in the execution of the departments’ respective mandates. In response to a parliamentary question, Premier Oscar Mabuyane said there are currently 2536 posts that have been identified as critical posts. He also said vacant posts should be filled within six months of being vacant. Waiting half a year to fill a position … [Read more...] about Critical vacancies need to be filled as a matter of urgency
SAHRC to investigate Fish River sewage crisis
Dear MyPE The inability of the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) to curb the flow of raw sewage into the Great Fish River will now be investigated by the South African Human Rights Commission. The Cradock Waste Water Treatment Works, which falls under auspices of the CHDM, is still not fully operational and raw sewage is still flowing unabated into the Great Fish River. Access to clean drinking water and sanitation are basic human rights and therefore, on the 10th of July 2019, I … [Read more...] about SAHRC to investigate Fish River sewage crisis
Bobani must give clarity on illegal Afrisec payments
Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s “reappointment” of Afrisec Strategic Solutions to do security upgrades to City Hall is unauthorised. Furthermore, no court order stipulating that the Metro must award the company R5,7-million to complete this task exists. These confirmations were given by the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Xolile Nqatha, in response to questions that were submitted by DA Shadow MEC for CoGTA, Vicky Knoetze, … [Read more...] about Bobani must give clarity on illegal Afrisec payments
Alfred Nzo District Municipality has 14 days to respond to water crisis memorandum
Dear MyPE The residents of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM) are being denied their constitutional right to water and have been forgotten by an uncaring ANC government. On Friday, 30 August 2019, I was joined by DA Women’s Network Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson, Georgina Faldtman, DA member of the Eastern Cape Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Sanele Magaqa, MPL, local councillors and community members in leading a picket in front … [Read more...] about Alfred Nzo District Municipality has 14 days to respond to water crisis memorandum
Patients and public suffer due to shocking state of Livingstone Hospital
Dear MyPE Staff shortages, long queues, broken public ablution facilities and thin, old mattresses are some of the daily challenges facing patients and the public at the Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth. Yesterday, 29 August 2019, I was joined by DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Nqaba Bhanga, MPL, and local DA Nelson Mandela Bay Councillors, Jonathan Lawack and Shirley Sauls, in conducting an oversight inspection at the Livingstone Hospital. It was during this oversight … [Read more...] about Patients and public suffer due to shocking state of Livingstone Hospital
Drivers for execs but no drivers for economic activity
Dear MyPE In Tuesday’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Members were informed that both the National Youth Development Agency’s (NYDA) CEO and Chairperson have personal drivers. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is dismayed by this revelation considering the fact that young people who are unemployed rely on the NYDA to find assistance to enter the jobs market. The NYDA’s mandate is to “facilitate and provide employment opportunities for youth in order to … [Read more...] about Drivers for execs but no drivers for economic activity
