GOOD offered its support to the President for working towards a better South Africa, but warned that it maintains its unwavering commitment to fight the corruption and wasteful expenditure.
Below is the speech delivered by Shaun August to the National Parliament:
Madam Speaker…
Parliament is a place to debate and implement ideas on the best way to run the country.
In order to decide whose ideas they like the most voters must hear what government has achieved and is proposing to do. That’s how functional democracies work.
Parliament is also a place for truth and accountability, where democracy cannot be silenced and lies cannot be sustained.
We can’t argue over facts, because facts are facts.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not to their own facts.
It is a fact, for example, that apartheid was a crime against humanity.
And it is a fact that we would be much further down Recovery Road had we prevented incompetence and corruption from infesting the administration of the state.
Many of us are working tirelessly to reverse these negative trends, and the State of the Nation address pointed to a number of green shoots.
I welcome government’s commitment to allow municipalities to directly obtain renewable electricity. It makes economic and environmental sense – and it vindicates GOOD Leader Patricia de Lille in taking government to court in 2016 to demand it.
As we increase energy security by including renewables, we will reduce the impacts of climate change.
Fixing the rail network will provide relief to masses of the poorest consumers, while reducing road congestion and carbon emissions. Repairs of trains must be fast tracked!
Where I want to see more progress is in the war against corruption, wasteful expenditure and gross disrespect.
We should NEVER allow greed, incompetence and disrespect for authority and the law to undermine service delivery or our democratic systems.
The members of this house must lead by example. We are not here to benefit ourselves. It is not about who can shout the loudest but who has the better ideas.
To stand any chance of growing the economy and reducing unemployment, we have to restore confidence in the country and government.
That means we need a government united in its commitment to fight politicians, government workers and businesses who are stealing our tax money.
Mr President…
You have GOOD’s support for a better South Africa, and our unwavering commitment to fight the bad corruption and wasteful expenditure.
We are not part of the permanently negative.
You also have our promise to hold this government to account when it falls short of delivering on its promises.