Industrialisation is the foundation of sustainable economic growth

House Chairperson, The ACDP asserts that this Budget Vote 39 of some R11.7 billion for DTIC must be evaluated against one central imperative: whether it is building a productive, industrialised, and globally competitive South African economy. The economic indices...

Much has changed since February’s Budget Speech

House Chairperson, the ACDP said after the Budget Speech that the ship of public finances was starting to move in the right direction. That was in February. Much has changed since then, particularly with the dramatic increase in the fuel price since the outbreak of...

Land reform must be just, transparent, and economically sustainable

House Chairperson, In welcoming the opportunity to engage on this Budget Vote, the ACDP notes the R9.62 billion allocation to the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development for the 2026/27 financial year. While this figure appears substantial, the Portfolio...

CRL seeks to weaponise legislation to use against churches

House Chairperson, The ACDP is aware that based on a report submitted by the CRL Rights Commission, the National Security Strategy for 2024-2028 publicly identifies the “mushrooming of charismatic churches” as a domestic national-security concern. This places millions...

SANDF’s operational condition is now critical

Chairperson, the ACDP rises in this budget vote fully cognisant of the severe financial constraints facing the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). This is nothing new. We have lamented this for many, many years, yet our voices and those of the Defence Force,...

Madlanga Commission commended for exposing serious corruption in SAPS

House Chairperson, the Madlanga Commission exposed grave police corruption, and the ACDP commends the Specialised Task Team for concrete action in suspending 18 officers, with prosecutions already underway. It is a disgrace to note that community safety and policing...

SMMEs are our greatest potential source of job creation

House Chairperson, the ACDP is acutely aware that South Africa’s unemployment crisis remains one of the greatest threats to our economy, social stability and national dignity. Millions of South Africans, especially young people, remain excluded from meaningful...

South Africa is richly endowed with mineral wealth

House Chairperson, the ACDP notes that the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Budget Vote of R2.856 billion, comes at a critical time for South Africa’s economy, with low, jobless GDP growth. Our nation is richly endowed with mineral wealth, yet the sector continues to...

Cut red tape and make things easier particularly for small business

Chairperson, the ACDP notes the allocation of R3.12 billion to Small Business Development in the 2026/27 estimates of national expenditure. This is a significant amount but the Portfolio Committee has warned that the SEDFA agency must not hide persisting problems. The...

Water is life and the essence of human dignity

Honourable Chairperson, The ACDP has consistently affirmed that water is not merely a commodity but water is life and the essence of human dignity. Access to clean water is a constitutional right and together with sanitation, improves the self-worth of all individuals...

Farmers see devastating losses over delayed FMD vaccine roll-out

Farmers see devastating losses over delayed FMD vaccine roll-out

House Chairperson, the ACDP notes that this report confirms that farmers in the Fezile Dabi District in the Free State have suffered devastating losses, with one farmer reporting losses of up to R40 million due to delayed vaccination and poor preparedness by...

State of governance at the PIC deeply concerning

State of governance at the PIC deeply concerning

House Chair, the ACDP shares deep concerns about the state of governance at the PIC (Public Investment Corporation), which invests a staggering R3.7 trillion in state pensions.  It has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, and this report exposes deep governance...

SANDF’s readiness to defend and protect South Africa questioned

SANDF’s readiness to defend and protect South Africa questioned

House Chairperson, the ACDP will not support this shocking report by the Joint SC on Defence and PC on Defence and Military Veterans that has highlighted the potential dangers this country is facing because of weaknesses in this country's defences and the disgraceful...