GOOD Statement by Shaun August
GOOD National Organiser and Member of The WCPP
16 February 2023
It’s unfortunate that today’s Western Cape State of the Province Address was used for political grandstanding by Premier Alan Winde – in stead of him addressing the most serious challenges with a credible plan to improve the lives of all our residents.
SOPA serves as the perfect platform for the Premier to take people into his confidence and constructively reflect on the future and work of the province. But criticising and delivering commentary on the failures of the national government proved to be far more important than sharing his steps for an inclusive, prosperous WC.
The premier as an ex officio member of the National Council of Provinces has a direct link to National Parliament, where he can raise his concerns around the trajectory of our country. Yet he chose the Provincial podium as the most fitting place – all at the expense of seriously addressing rising crime, joblessness, gangsterism and mafia’s infiltrating almost all sectors of society.
Now is the time for real solutions that could deliver impactful change in our communities. No more lip service, no more abdication of responsibility and definitely no more finger pointing.
The Democratic Alliance does not stand without blame for the horrendous state of the Western Cape. The sooner the Premier realizes this, the quicker we can move to find real solutions.
Agriculture has proven to be most resilient in our post Covid-19 recovery and in the face of climate change. With an 11% contribution to provincial GDP and 55% of national agricultural exports coming from the Western Cape one would expect this to be a key avenue of focus for sustainable job creation. Especially programs looking to empower black farmers and the provincial land reform program. Less EPWP styled employment models and more skills development initiatives.
The province needs to urgently act against construction mafias who are throttling the lives of 21 000 families desperate for a home. I am aware that plans are in place in the housing sector to address this scourge, but we do not have the luxury of time to focus on anything other than these challenges that are costing our citizens their dignity.
The Premier should have done much more to put in place cross-departmental programs, especially in social development, education and health. I applaud this government for doing more towards mental health and the new facilities opened to accommodate such patients. I do urge them to get the basics right also. There are clinics and health facilities that is falling apart by the seams. As much as we are looking forward to new ones, this government should not let the old one’s rot away where thousands of people are treated daily.
What was quite disheartening was that the Premier did not speak on or acknowledge the crisis where children are being kept from school due to a dispute between the provincial government and taxi drivers on the issue of scholar transport. We need leadership from all sides to come together and engage on the best and most inclusive solution so that children, and their right to education, are not unfairly caught in this crossfire.
For the Premier to ignore these worrying challenges in his own backyard, turn a blind-eye and in turn focus on the failures of the national government is a clear indication that he and his executive have no real plan to solve our most pressing problems.
Media Enquiries:
Shaun August, GOOD National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 074 746 7378
Email: shauna@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za