GOOD statement by Shaun August,
GOOD: National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
16 February 2022
Honourable speaker,
Yesterday’s State of the Province address paints a theoretical picture of a perfect Western Cape in a perfect world.
We commend the Premier on his optimistic outlook and his success in colouring in – or whitewashing out – the grim reality that daily plagues the lives of the people of the Western Cape.
We particularly welcome the announcement of 91 infrastructure projects which will unlock capital investment to boost local economies, create jobs and ultimately allow for our people to raise their standard of living.
But if we are to be honest with ourselves and the people of this Province, this is not a perfect world and what we are currently experiencing are not perfect conditions.
We agree with the Premier that we cannot return to normal as Covid19 completely robbed us off any sense of what the word means. Nor should we want to return to the “normal” of joblessness, exclusion and inequality.
Covid took much away, but it has afforded us a precious opportunity to re-set that which was crooked, skewed, unfair and unjust.
The Economy:
Today we are in Velddrift, Weskus, the heartland of bokkoms and Cerebos.
But, what development has happened here to ensure that fisherfolk optimise their skills and learn new ones to build resilient businesses?
If it wasn’t for SOPA22, would the eyes and ears of the Western Cape Legislature ever have reached these people?
Reshaping the local economy here requires greater state support, tax leniency and patriotism in the Proudly South African brand. It requires listening to and exploring community driven solutions.
What measurable steps has this administration taken to achieve this thus far?
A People’s Parliament:
Considering all this, reference has been made in the past about taking Parliament to the people, but yesterday showed us something different. Guest seats were again reserved for career politicians who sat here at the expense of the already overburdened taxpayers.
There were no people of Velddrift present. No civil society organisations, no community structures, or representatives of businesses to have an opportunity to engage with the delegates and provide solutions that could work for them.
Speaker, this was one opportunity for communities to truly engage their elected officials, especially in these far regions where citizens do not have access to Wale Street.
What should have been an opportunity for the people was instead wasted on DA cadres and comrades.
Infrastructure:
Infrastructure dominated the Premier’s address… as it has before.
In 2020 the Premier advocated for the establishment of an Infrastructure Agency. In 2021 no clear plan existed on just how exactly such an agency would operate.
In 2022 we are again promised the establishment of a new department prioritising infrastructure.
Promises don’t lay bricks or install pipes. Take the promise of developing 13 000 low cost houses in the Cape Town City Centre, for example. How many of these homes actually exist?
Forgive me Premier if we are looking for something more to go on than your word.
Social Development:
Gender-based violence and Femicide still dominate our communities. Social intervention programs are dormant and yet we are reminded of a time where the DPWI handed buildings over to the provincial department of social development to be used as safe havens.
Is this the only success story of this department? Young people are left to their own devices and there exists no clear plan for them, or rural youth?
We are always reminded of young people being the future, but what future is this when the Department of Social Development does not implement programs to strengthen and harness the power of the youth?
Jobs:
How will jobs be created and businesses established to employ this generation and those to come with so little business support from this administration. We need jobs, but more importantly, our people need support to create those jobs.
Education:
Our education system is in shambles. Placing a kid behind a desk is simply not enough when our children are in need of special attention, psychosocial support and have special needs. Where should kids with physical limitations go when their local school facilities cannot accommodate them?
The Premier said we cannot go back to normal. We agree. We need to up our game as never before. But we have little trust that this administration and cabinet can take us there.
Media enquiries:
Shaun August, GOOD: National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 074 746 7378
Email: shauna@forgood.org.za
Samkelo Mgobozi, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0792315977 (whatsapp)/0829684021 (calls)
Email: samm@forgood.org.za