Chantel King

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) asking them to clarify the decision to reduce the 2021 new student intake by 20 000. This week Higher Education Minister, Blade Ndzimande, announced that UNISA should reduce their first-year student intake by 20 000 as compensation for the previous year’s over-enrollment by the same number. According to the Minister, NSFAS cannot financially … [Read more...] about Students should not pay the price for NSFAS and UNISA’s poor administration

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to give clear direction on when the Scheme will extend allowances to those students who will continue their current academic year into 2021. This week, students at the Nelson Mandela University and Rhodes University expressed their concern as many are still waiting for their NSFAS allowances to be paid out. This, despite the Minister giving … [Read more...] about NSFAS must clarify when extended student allowances will be paid

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) recently conducted oversight inspections at public libraries in the Municipality and found that residents in certain areas have taken over community service functions provided by libraries. During oversight inspections at libraries in BCM wards 6 and 19 we noticed that community members had taken over, with the apparent sign-off from the Municipality. This is being allowed without following the proper processes of … [Read more...] about Clarity sought on community interventions in Buffalo City libraries

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly opposes the proposed name changes for East London, King William's Town, Berlin and the East London Airport. It is proposed that East London be renamed KuGompo, and that the name of the EL Airport be changed to King Phalo. The suggested name change for King William's Town is Qonce, and the proposal for Berlin is Ntabozuko. Renaming these Buffalo City Metro towns and the airport will not increase tourism, boost investment, improve service … [Read more...] about Frivolous Buffalo City Metro name changes opposed

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has written to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to urgently intervene in Skiti Informal Settlement in Butterworth where the human rights of the residents are being violated. The people of Skiti Informal Settlement have been living in inhumane conditions since raw sewage started flowing into streets and their houses three months ago. See picture attached here. This situation was brought to my attention on 27 … [Read more...] about Raw Sewage Violates Residents Rights

Dear MyPE The Deputy Mayor of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Cllr Matana, responded to a presentation conducted by the Auditor General, stating that council should look into the findings and advice given by the Auditor General after the 2015/2016 audit. This is a very contradictory statement, since during the public debates of the local government elections, the ANC mayor at the time, Cllr Mtsi was clear in his debates that unauthorised and wasteful expenditure was not a major … [Read more...] about ‘Human Errors’ costs ratepayers millions