From the 39 resolutions that are to be tabled at this weekend’s 5th DA Federal Congress, a number of themes merge.
A new majorityThe DA believes that the possibility of a change of leadership in South Africa has been demonstrated by its recent successes in various by-elections. They say they will use opportunities at local government level to demonstrate how they would govern, were they to be given the opportunity. The DA wants to resolve to be the only meaningful alternative to the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Job creationStill building on its track record, and specifically with regards to reducing youth unemployment in the Western Cape, the DA is to resolve to foster an environment conducive to economic growth and job creation.
Service deliveryThe DA believes service delivery has been impacted in many communities and has been hampered by corruption. It wants to set up a corruption-busting mitigation and monitoring team in every DA caucus in South Africa, and propose motions in all ANC-controlled metros and municipalities that all tender communities to open to the public.
CrimeAccording to the party, the rates of crime in South Africa are unacceptably high and foreign and local investors still see the high levels of violent crime and corruption as a deterrent to investment in South Africa, investment needed in order to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. The DA is insisting on rapid and transparent action being taken against corruption on all spheres of public and private activity.
GovernanceNoting that the ANC has taken the position of Municipal Public Accounts Committees Chairperson in several Municipal councils, the party calls on the appropriate formations of the DA to seek the amendment of relevant national, provincial, and municipal legislation so as to ensure that all Public Accounts Committees are chaired by a member of an opposition party, chosen by members of the opposition parties.
Infrastructure spendingGeneral population growth and population movement place increasing demand on municipal infrastructure, particularly in urban areas. The shortage of relevant skills is impacting on planning, procurement, design, construction and care of infrastructure. All DA municipal caucuses will demand that an amount equivalent to at least 12.5% of the annual capital budget be allocated specifically to upgrade/maintain/repair/existing infrastructure.
The State of educationThe DA resolutions state that better education will lead to the employment of many young South Africans, breaking the cycle of poverty. Learners in many provinces did not receive textbooks for the majority of the year, and there are also a number of teacher vacancies in South Africa. The DA recognises that critical steps in improving the quality of education includes ensuring that textbooks are delivered timeously, and that there is a teacher of quality in every classroom.
Embracing diversityDiversity is one of the four pillars of the DA and key to their strategy toward 2014. All DA communications around diversity and related subjects are to celebrate and reflect diversity, rather than a mere tolerance thereof. The DA aims to continue protecting the principals of the South African constitution in general, and specifically the separation of power between different spheres of government.
– By Aphiwe Honono
