GOOD Statement by Shaun August,
GOOD National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
27 March 2023
Note to editor: These remarks by GOOD’s National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Shaun August, formed part of today’s debate on the Western Cape Provincial Budget Speech.
Hon. Speaker
The Western Cape Provincial Budget as tabled by MEC Wenger has been, since 2019, a theoretical document with little, to no real impact.
Under MEC Maynier, we’ve had a budget focusing on “Consolidation for Maximum Impact,” a “Budget for You,” a “Budget for Hope” as well as a “Budget to Push Forward.”
Under MEC Wenger the “Budget of Action – A Future Full of Hope” was tabled. What do they all have in common you might ask… let me answer, they string together words and phrases to get the people into thinking that this government works for them.
Well, it really isn’t. The DA-led Western Cape government has done everything in its power, since Helen’s reign, to stop and oppose inner-city spatial transformation. We also see this as the main objective of Premier Winde.
In addition, this government have been actively contributing towards the creation of informal settlements with its lack of urgency in building decent homes for the poor and needy.
DA-led municipalities across the Western Cape share the tale of two Towns or City’s; where one part enjoys uninterrupted services, green parks, working streetlights and lush greens. And on the other side you’ll find war zones, sewerage spills, inconsistent water supplies and inhumane living conditions.
This administration is so obsessed with the national government, its main objective deviates from prioritizing the needs and the challenges of its people and this budget reconfirms and heralds that obsession. Instead of finding tangible solutions to ailing problems, it will in turn use taxpayers’ money to fund its “better than the ANC campaign.”
Speaker
This administration funneled hundreds of millions into safety and security in the City. But the CBD is now considered the robbery capital of South Africa. How does this make sense?
Cape Town Central and Mitchells Plain police stations are 1st and 2nd, respectively, on the top 30 police stations for 17 community contact crimes. Take note, these areas enjoy a great deal of law enforcement presence.
How functional is your Safety Plan considering that you are planning on spending R4.76 billion over the next three years on community safety?
Please justify the provisional spend of R39.82 billion for economic growth, but you overlook the informal trade sector that has the potential to absorb unemployed youth, women and persons with disabilities.
Just like the ANC you believe throwing money at problems will make them disappear.
This government claims to follow the data which is quite difficult to believe seeing that the Deputy Speaker is going one way by hosting anti-vaxxers, and the Premier and Department of Health runs in the total opposite direction.
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