The following speech was delivered by the DA Leader, John Steenhuisen MP, during his address to the nation on the Covid-19 lockdown crisis. My fellow citizens, I know you love this country as much as I do. There is a lot to love. We all want South Africa and her people to succeed, and it is heart-breaking to see so many suffering in these difficult times. We pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to the virus, and our deepest condolences go out to their friends and … [Read more...] about End the lockdown crisis now
John Steenhuisen
IMF petitioned to stop racially discriminatory use of Corona relief funds
Dear MyPE I have today sent a written petition to the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms Kristalina Georgieva, opposing in the strongest terms the use by the South African government of Corona disaster relief funds in a racially discriminatory way. As the majority of these relief funds come from a loan obtained from the IMF, I implore this international body to censure the South African government and instruct it to stop using IMF monies in a way that … [Read more...] about IMF petitioned to stop racially discriminatory use of Corona relief funds
Level 4: Disastrous for livelihoods
Dear MyPE Ultimately, there is not enough to distinguish lockdown Level 4 from Level 5. This will be disastrous for millions of lives and livelihoods. Government has essentially smuggled through an extension of the hard lockdown under the guise of easing restrictions. If government had gone with the DA’s Smart Lockdown proposal, more of the economy could have been opened without compromising safety. Government’s approach is unnecessarily blunt and restrictive, with simply no … [Read more...] about Level 4: Disastrous for livelihoods
DA to challenge government’s race-based Covid relief for SMMEs in court
Dear MyPE The DA has given the Minister for Small Business Development, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, until 17:00 today, Wednesday 29 April 2020, to clarify her statements regarding the use of B-BBEE as evaluating criteria for government’s SMME Debt Relief Fund. If she does not respond satisfactorily by this deadline, the DA will take legal steps to ensure that all South Africans are treated equally in qualifying for government’s Covid-19 relief measures. This follows the minister’s about-turn … [Read more...] about DA to challenge government’s race-based Covid relief for SMMEs in court
Level 4 Lockdown
DA proposes wider opening of the economy Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today submitted our comments to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Trade & Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel in response to their request for comments around the Draft Framework for Sectors – Level 4 only – of their risk-adjusted strategy. We submitted two documents, one responding to their Level 4 proposals (including two attachments) and the other to … [Read more...] about Level 4 Lockdown
Smart Lockdown Easing Plan Welcomed
Dear MyPE The DA welcomes the announcement by President Ramaphosa to control the spread of the coronavirus going forward by adopting what we have called a “Smart Lockdown” model. This phased, risk-adjusted model, whereby restrictions are lifted as and when the data suggests it is safe, is critical to protecting precious jobs and ensuring that the livelihood of millions of South Africans is saved. The DA has called for precisely this approach in our Smart Lockdown Plan, released ten days … [Read more...] about Smart Lockdown Easing Plan Welcomed
Crucial lockdown questions needing answers
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes that there is growing and broad agreement on a gradual return to economic activity, and ahead of President Ramaphosa’s address to the nation this evening, the DA respectfully puts forward the following questions, requests, and suggestions which should be addressed in his speech. I have a virtual meeting scheduled with the President for 16:30 today, and I will put these questions to him directly. Furthermore, we have today sent the President … [Read more...] about Crucial lockdown questions needing answers
How the Smart Lockdown will work
DA proposes Smart Lockdown as a sustainable approach to save lives Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance’s Policy Unit has been working tirelessly with healthcare and financial experts, policy specialists, and our Shadow Cabinet to devise a sustainable and flexible Smart Lockdown to supplement government’s coronavirus response effort, while protecting the South African economy and the livelihoods which depend on it. We will be submitting our Smart Lockdown working paper to President Cyril … [Read more...] about How the Smart Lockdown will work
Report SAPS and SANDF Abuse via WhatsApp
DA launches WhatsApp line to report Police and Army abuse and advise the public Dear MyPE Today the Democratic Alliance (DA) launched a dedicated WhatsApp number (067 977 9324) and email address (reportpoliceabuse@da.org.za) where members of the public can report any acts of assault, abuse or bribery by law enforcement officers. They can also send the DA their questions regarding their legal rights during the Covid-19 lockdown. We will use these platforms to advise citizens on their … [Read more...] about Report SAPS and SANDF Abuse via WhatsApp
SANDF Deployment Welcomed
DA welcomes lockdown and SANDF deployment to combat the spread of COVID-19 Dear MyPE The DA welcomes the President’s announcement this evening of a nationwide lockdown and the deployment of the South African National Defence Force. These measures are of critical importance in our efforts to combat the spread of the Coronavirus through our communities and contain, as much as is possible, future COVID-19 infections. We also welcome the announcement of a Solidarity Fund to support the … [Read more...] about SANDF Deployment Welcomed
The Political Landscape Needs to Change Radically
We need the collaboration of a new majority to shield SA from COVID-19 By John Steenhuisen MP - Leader of the Democratic Alliance Fellow South Africans Today, as we celebrate our hard-fought human rights, our country stands before one of its greatest tests ever. The spread of COVID-19 through our cities, towns and villages will stretch, to the very limit, the ability of our state to safeguard these human rights. And it will test our resolve and resourcefulness, as a nation, in containing … [Read more...] about The Political Landscape Needs to Change Radically
Could We Escape Those Eskom Shackles?
DA launches countrywide effort to free South Africa from Eskom Dear MyPE As loadshedding and rolling blackouts continue today and into this week, once more our country and economy are placed in peril by the failing ANC government and broken Eskom. The smokescreen created by government that Eskom can be saved must immediately be lifted, and the fact must be faced: Eskom is in a death spiral dragging South Africa down with it. Currently, as the ANC government continues to delay and … [Read more...] about Could We Escape Those Eskom Shackles?
Ramaphosa chooses ANC over SA
Remarks by John Steenhuisen MP - Leader of the Democratic Alliance after SONA 2020 on 13 February 2020: This evening, in his 2020 SONA speech, President Ramaphosa was forced into making a choice he has been putting off since assuming the office of the President two years ago. He was forced to choose between saving his country from economic disaster and saving his party from internal war. And tonight he chose the ANC over South Africa. I am sure this was no easy decision for the … [Read more...] about Ramaphosa chooses ANC over SA
Time to Push ‘RESET’… Again
Dear MyPE Today 30 years ago, South Africa’s “reset” button was pressed and a new era ushered in as the nation’s icon, Nelson Mandela, walked out of the Victor Verster Prison after having spent 27 years of his life behind bars as a result of the apartheid government’s unjust laws. We honour Madiba for his bravery, commitment and love for humanity. We remember his courageous fight for a fair, just and prosperous society and his brave stance against an evil system that tore our nation … [Read more...] about Time to Push ‘RESET’… Again
A government that can’t provide drinkable water is no government at all
The following remarks were delivered today by the Leader of the Democratic Alliance, John Steenhuisen MP, during the "Real State of the Nation Tour" in Mpumalanga. Steenhuisen was joined by DA Mpumalanga Provincial Leader, Jane Sithole MPL. My fellow South Africans Of all the responsibilities that a government has towards its citizens, the most fundamental are those listed upfront in our Constitution, in the Bill of Rights. And arguably the most important of these is the right to … [Read more...] about A government that can’t provide drinkable water is no government at all
