Zuma’s ANC rejects DA motion to condemn Uganda’s anti-gay bill

Democratic Alliance statement by

Sandy Kalyan MP

Deputy Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance 

The DA is deeply concerned and unspeakably disappointed that the ANC today blocked a DA motion without notice condemning the Anti-Homosexuality Bill signed into law by Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, yesterday. 

It is also highly revealing that ANC MPs heckled me today when I raised this issue in the House, illustrating their brazen insensitivity if not support for this shocking measure.

Our motion would have ensured that South Africa continues with the human rights-based foreign policy established by President Nelson Mandela and that we re-gain our moral standing in the international arena. 

It would have also made it clear to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, that her failure to act decisively on this issue - as made clear in her department's press release today - must be brought to an end. 

The ANC in Parliament did not seek to propose any amendments to the motion. It was merely rejected “in its entirety”.

This continues the shameful failure by President Zuma’s administration to act on this matter. 

We must indeed ask why it is that South Africa always resorts to silent diplomacy when it instead should be providing leadership on the continent. With our proud history of fighting injustice, and with one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, our government should have been first to publically object to the barbaric laws of a state right on our doorstep. 

As the DA, we strongly condemn the passing of this Bill and the criminalisation of homosexuality anywhere on the continent and the world.

The South African government, and the African Union, which is being chaired by, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, must be urged to act to ensure that Uganda’s suppression of human rights does not go without censure.

The DA will continue to push for this to happen without delay.

Why your vote DOES count

The proportion of South Africans who did not vote in national and provincial elections increased from 14% in 1994 to 41% in 2009. In other words, in 1994 some 86% of eligible voters voted in the national and provincial election, but by 2009 that proportion had fallen to under 60%.

Imagine how drastically the political landscape of SA could change if we all voted!

Recent opinion polls suggest this trend may continue. According to an opinion poll carried out by a market research company, Pondering Panda, in July 2013, almost a quarter of South Africans do not intend to vote in the 2014 national elections.

When the same people were asked why they would not vote, almost half (44%) said that things would stay the same no matter who won the election. If you believe that things would stay the same, please watch this clip (click on link below) to see how things changed from 2009 to now after the DA took control of the Western Cape Province.

YouTube: The Western Cape Story

Lack of funding is no excuse for not delivering services

Note: This appeared in the Daily Dispatch newspaper as a Letter to the Editor on 4 February 2012

We are all familiar with the annual news reports in the Daily Dispatch of how Buffalo City Metro fails to spend its capital budget. Given the number of potholes, leaking water pipes and the aging electricity infrastructure (just a few examples – there are many) it is unacceptable that the council consistently does not spend its capital budget. This year is no different - halfway through the financial BCMM has only spent 27% of its capital budget.

Considering this backdrop, my blood boiled when I received an email from a Buffalo City official in the roads department. After receiving a complaint relating to roads in a terrible condition that desperately needed maintenance, his response was as follows: “I would also like to use this opportunity to advise you that there are 50 Wards within the BCMM and every Councillor is requesting for the roads in their Ward to be rehabilitated / repaired ASAP and the Roads Division has limited resources at their disposal.”

It is absolutely unacceptable that officials use the excuse of limited resources when they have only spent a fraction of their budget. Our city it falling apart, and it is not because of a lack of funds - it is falling apart because of incompetent governance. If we want to see a change in Buffalo City we need a change in leadership - and that can only be done at the ballot box.