nqaba bhanga

Dear MyPE Today the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela by following his example and giving back to the poor and destitute across the province. DA leaders and activists in the Eastern Cape dedicated more than 67 minutes of their time giving back to society. In doing so we remember Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of dedicated service. I accompanied DA activists to Timothy Valley in Nelson Mandela Bay to visit a previously destitute lady who also … [Read more...] about Activists embody the spirit of Madiba on Mandela Day

Dear MyPE The DA-led coalition in Nelson Mandela Bay remains united and focused on delivering services to the people of the city. Coalition governments are the future of South Africa and while they can be difficult they are necessary. The coalition government in NMB has demonstrated its resilience time and time again and always put the people first. Working together with our coalition partners, and other parties in council, we have put the people first and passed two consecutive … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Bay coalition remains united and focused on delivery

Dear MyPE The DA’s provincial executive committee and constituency leaders of the Eastern Cape (see photo here) had an extensive three day strategic breakaway and election planning meeting over the weekend. We reviewed the party’s performance in the province and we are upbeat, especially after positive results in two recent by-elections. On the 6th of June the stood in the ward 9 by-election of the rural Ingquza Hill Local Municipality and grew party’s support from 6.24% in 2016 to … [Read more...] about Leaders energised and united to bring change in 2019

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pleased that the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) passed its budget, which will ensure that we are able to continue changing the lives of the Bay’s residents, especially the poor. We have always worked to put the people first and the passing of the R12 billion budget is a clear indicator of that commitment. The African National Congress (ANC), along with their henchmen the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and United Democratic Movement (UDM) have failed … [Read more...] about Coalition government passes pro-poor budget

Dear MyPE Every year on 25 May we celebrate the signing of the OAU’s (Organisation of African Unity) founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1963. It is a day on which African unity in fighting challenges such as poverty, war and disease is celebrated amongst all Africans across the globe. On this day South Africans must also reflect on their role in Africa and realise that they are not removed from or immune to the problems that beset the continent. Poverty and unemployment have … [Read more...] about EC celebrates Africa Day

Dear MyPE The DA Students’ Organisation (DASO) yesterday dealt a devastating blow to ANC student politics by wrestling total control of Port Elizabeth College away from the ANC-aligned South African Students Congress (SASCO). The student representative council (SRC) elections held at Port Elizabeth College on Thursday was a significant accomplishment for DASO as, for the first time ever, SASCO, could not win a majority in the SRC. DASO and SASCO each claimed five seats while the EFF … [Read more...] about PE College students vote for change

Dear MyPE Today I, together with the DA’s provincial Shadow MEC for Health, Celeste Barker, conducted an unannounced oversight inspection to the Soweto-on-Sea Clinic in Port Elizabeth. Clinics in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, under the management of the ANC-led Eastern Cape Department of Health, are failing the residents of the City due to a lack of staff and equipment and poor facilities. The Soweto-on-Sea Clinic is one of the most affected facilities. This clinic is the size of two … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape’s failing primary healthcare facilities

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes Nosimo Balindlela’s decision to rejoin the ANC. We respect that she feels the need to serve the ANC but believe that this is misguided as ANC corruption and maladministration have robbed the poor of billions. We thank her for her participation in the DA’s efforts to build an alternative government in the Eastern Cape and for her kind words of how she has enjoyed her time with us. The DA’s values of freedom, fairness opportunity and … [Read more...] about DA notes Balindlela’s return to ANC

Dear MyPE The factionalism and internal dysfunction within the ANC in the Eastern Cape is now clear for all to see and underline the impossibility of an effective ANC government. Premier Phumulo Masualle was yesterday forced to fire four MECs against his will and this is an indication of the deep divide within the ruling party. The fact that he was also forced to appoint his political opponent, Oscar Mabuyane, as MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, … [Read more...] about Total Change: Only DA can save the Eastern Cape from ANC failure

The 19 Minute 'Shortest Council Meeting in History' went down like … [Read more...] about All Six ANC/EFF motions withdrawn

Dear MyPE The most recent outbreak of violent service delivery protests in Keiskammahoek and Grahamstown underlines the fact that Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle and the uncaring ANC government are not up to the task of effectively running the province. On Monday hundreds of members of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) used burning tyres and bricks to blockade the town’s main road because of service delivery issues including bad roads and a lack of housing and … [Read more...] about Keiskammahoek and Grahamstown residents fed-up

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape condemns the hijacking of a DA Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), Sanele Magaqa’s car in Zone 4 of Zwelitsha over the weekend. This follows the senseless killing of four people. Seven armed men forced MPL Magaqa, along with his two family members Luvuyo and Zuko Magaqa, out of his car just as he was was dropping off another family member at the Zone 4 taxi rank in Zwelitsha. MPL Magaqa was at the right place at a wrong … [Read more...] about Senseless killing of four youth and hijacking of DA MPL Magaqa condemned

Dear MyPE The African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) today exposed themselves to be nothing more than disruptive forces in the council of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality. These parties disrupted a Special Council Meeting convened to hear several Motions of no Confidence, which included motions against Mayor Athol Trollip, Speaker Jonathan Lawack and Chief Whip Werner Senekal. The Speaker permanently adjourned the meeting after these disruptions and … [Read more...] about NMB Motion of no Confidence: Victory for the people

Dear MyPE The EFF’s decision not to support Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Municipality’s 2017/18 adjustment budget undermines the work that has been done by the multiparty coalition government since 2016. It is clear that they would rather place their politics ahead of the needs of NMB residents. By not supporting the adjustment budget the EFF attempted to deny the people, especially poor black residents, of NMB critical resources and service delivery, which include: R1-million for much … [Read more...] about EFF wants to give NMB back to lying and looting ANC