House Chair
Whilst the ACDP acknowledges that progress has been made in terms of our Constitution, in upholding the rule of law, and ensuring media freedom and the independence of the judiciary, the scorecard is dismal when it comes to justice, access to food, quality education and healthcare, decent housing and employment.
The ANC government is becoming increasingly incompetent and incapable, rife with corruption (as admitted by the speaker from the ANC itself) and serving its own narrow personal and political interests.
87 people are murdered in South Africa each day. And a women is raped every 11 minutes of every day in our country. That is absolutely disgraceful and we all need to accept responsibility for that.
In the last 15 years in particular, we have witnessed state capture and corruption costing the state billions of rands; over the past five years we experienced one of the world’s longest and harshest Covid19 lockdowns that trampled on basic human rights, and devastated livelihoods, businesses and the economy; to compound matters, we have and are experiencing ongoing load shedding, logistics and water crises, and lest we forget, in 2021 we witnessed with shock and disbelief rioting and looting in KZN and parts of Gauteng resulting in 354 deaths and R50 billion in damages. No wonder many South Africans say we mark, but do not celebrate 30 years of democracy. And, where were our state security services at the time? Absent!
Households are experiencing severe hardships and are struggling to make ends meet. Load shedding, the logistics crisis, high interest rates, and increasing debt levels have resulted in a weak economy, plunging millions of people into either unemployment or a severe cost of living crisis.
The circumstances in rural towns and villages are even more dire, with children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and tragically, even dying of starvation. This is absolutely disgraceful.
Chairperson, we say “cry the beloved country, indeed … cry the beloved country.”
But there is hope. As South Africa prepares for its seventh democratic general election, it is clear that we need change. The ACDP has heard the SOS from our people. We offer elected representatives who are servant leaders, who understand stewardship of state resources and will not loot and steal, but care for the people. This is the of leadership the ACDP offers the country. Vote ACDP on 29 May 2024. Your hope for a great future!
Lastly, we continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for peace in the Middle East in the knowledge that the God who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.
I thank you.
