Begging to Differ
South Africa through the eyes of a young man striving for change.
"We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.” Preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
ANC refuses to allow DA to table motion to suspend Mayor
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
The REAL State of the Metro is not a good story to tell
This was conducted just a week after an equally elaborate “Council Open Day” was held at City Hall, and is once again in contravention of a National Treasury notice to eliminate non-priority expenditure.
Neither of these events actually served to engage stakeholders and communities, but these were rather an excuse to grandstand and feast at the expense of the citizens of Buffalo City.
In her speech, Mayor Zukiswa Ncitha highlighted several achievements, and totally glossed over the major issues affecting the city.
The real story of the State of the Metro is a bad story to tell - it is one of maladministration, corruption and wasteful expenditure:
The ANC leadership in Buffalo City has its head in the sand while our city is falling apart around us.
It is clear that the ANC of Tambo, Mandela and Mbeki no longer exists in Buffalo City. Jacob Zuma’s ANC is not in politics to transform South Africa into a better place for all. It is in politics to enrich itself, its friends and its family. We see it every day in our communities – especially here in Buffalo City where we have so many multi-million rand scandals.
The DA in Buffalo City will never stand by quietly while this looting happens. Where the DA governs, people’s lives are getting better and better. More money goes to ordinary people because we are serious about stopping corruption and spending more money on delivering services.
The time for change is now. On the 7th of May voters must send the Jacob Zuma led ANC a loud message that enough is enough.
Together for Change, Together for Jobs.
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Mazibuko: Zuma’s failure to condemn anti-gay law an insult to the Constitution
The DA is outraged by the failure of President Zuma to condemn the draconian anti-gay legislation passed in Uganda earlier this year.
In a reply to my parliamentary question - which I posed to President Zuma to gain clarity on his position on this matter which has received worldwide condemnation - the President said that “South Africa respects the sovereign rights of other countries to adopt their own legislation”.
This is an insult to our constitution and to President Mandela’s human rights inspired foreign policy. President Zuma, and the entire leadership of the ANC, should hang their heads in shame.
The international community did not adopt a ‘hands off’ approach to Apartheid South Africa. We should likewise not stand quietly by as our president adopts this shameful approach when other countries violate the human rights of their people.
To do so is to send a message to the rest of the world that we are hypocrites.
Uganda's anti-gay legislation has horrific consequences for gay Ugandan citizens. The law provides for:
- Life imprisonment for having gay sexual intercourse;
- Life imprisonment for so-called "aggravated homosexuality”;
- Life imprisonment for living in a same-sex marriage;
- Seven years for "attempting to commit homosexuality";
- Between five and seven years in jail or a $40,700 (£24,500) fine or both for the "promotion" of homosexuality;
- The cancellation of registration of businesses or non-governmental organisations found guilty of the "promotion of homosexuality". These Directors could face seven years in jail.
President Zuma's latest blunder is yet another example of how the ANC of today is merely a shadow of its former self. It is clear that this government, unlike that of President Nelson Mandela’s, no longer shares Madiba’s vision that human rights should be “the light that guides our foreign affairs”.
One would think a country with a painful history of discrimination like ours, would be the first to condemn such horrid crimes against humanity.
But President Zuma and his ANC remain detached from what is important both in South Africa and on the African continent.
The DA will remain dedicated to implementing a foreign policy that is informed by a commitment to human rights.
That is why a vote for the DA on May 7will be a vote for the promotion of basic human rights at home and abroad.
Lindiwe Mazibuko MP
Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Zuma’s ANC rejects DA motion to condemn Uganda’s anti-gay bill
Monday, 10 February 2014
Why your vote DOES count
Imagine how drastically the political landscape of SA could change if we all voted!
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Lack of funding is no excuse for not delivering services
Friday, 31 January 2014
DA uncovers another attempt at looting the Buffalo City coffers
- The current owner, Mr Shoba, purchased the property in May 2012 for R130 000, R160 000 below it’s 2009 market value of R290 000 knowing that the property had been invaded by some 200 squatters. The property was registered on October 4, 2012.
- Only two months later Buffalo City officials issued a purchase requisition for an evaluation of the same property as the owner would like to sell the property to Buffalo City in order to avoid evicting the squatters.
- On the 13th of December 2012, the Acting CFO sent the evaluation to the Director of Planning and Economic Development. Worryingly, the date on the evaluation is a day later, 14 December 2012.
- Officials at Buffalo City claim that of the five independent valuers they contacted for an evaluation, only one submitted a quote to appraise the property, but submitted it late.
- The Finance Directorate conducted their own evaluation. The CFO’s valuers assessed the property’s value at a staggering R16,5 million – 127 times the original purchase price only months earlier.
- Documents show that comparable average sales price, based on the 20 most relevant comparable sales in the area, is only R1,8 million, far less than the figure obtained by the municipal property valuers.