The ANC will today vote to pass the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA Bill). They will say this bill is going to transform education, but it is a dead man walking.

The ACDP commits to reducing harmful toxins and gasses, to restoring our ecosystems, air and waterways that have been contaminated by pollutants. We also commit to protecting our endangered wildlife, flora, and fauna, because we understand that this is our inalienable mandate, as custodians of our planet.

The ACDP is deeply concerned at the continuing deterioration of Transnet’s infrastructure and performance which we know threatens the entire economy.

Ongoing load shedding has had a devastating impact on households, livelihoods, businesses and the economy as a whole and may have cost the country R150 billion.

We repeat that Chief Justice Mogoeng stated that “[the Public Protector’s] investigative powers are not supposed to bow down to anybody, not even the door of the highest chambers of raw state power.” This includes President Ramaphosa.

Celebrating our cultural diversity does not diminish our collective identity as South Africans. Instead, it strengthens the fabric of our nation. It allows us to confront and challenge discrimination and inequality, faced by marginalized cultural groups, and provides a platform to address issues of social justice.

“Chairperson, The ACDP wishes to thank honourable Groenewald for this topic for discussion. Violent crime in the country in the country has reached unacceptable levels. It is the primary role of the state to protect its citizens. In our view government is failing...

Multilateralism is an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a common goal. In the right hands, it can be an important tool for promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development. While it has advantages, it also has disadvantages that can threaten the sovereignty of nations.

There has been a concerted effort to discredit this process; the evidence leaders and parliamentary staff – most of whom are women – became collateral damage in an attempt to paint Advocate Mkhwebane as a victim of an abusive process and targeted conspiracy. The ACDP strongly rejects this.

The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan makes for sombre reading. As a water-scarce country, South Africa loses 35% of its water through leakage.

Although South Africa has steadily improved its ratio of beneficiated to primary products exported since the 1970s, these ratios are still well below the potential suggested by the quality and quantity of its mineral resources endowment.

By now the BMA should have implemented measures to improve traffic flow and border security, including increased surveillance, improved infrastructure, and the deployment of advanced technologies for detection and monitoring.