With more than half of South Africans living in poverty, the ID’s policies focus on social equity and development, writes Lance Greyling
The overall policy goal of the Independent Democrats (ID) is to bridge the enormous divides that still plague our country 14 years after the advent of democracy. These divides are reflected in our high unemployment rate, massive levels of income inequality and more than half of our population still living in poverty. The state machinery suffers from a lack of capacity in delivering basic services to all, making the goal of a developmental state unachievable.
Although our economic fundamentals are good, insufficient investment has been made in infrastructural and human resource development. The ID’s policy platform speaks to all of these challenges.
A number of measures are needed to deal with unemployment. First, a wage subsidy should be introduced, particularly for young South Africans now unable to gain a foothold in the job market. Competition policy should be more proactive, to reduce economic concentration (often a barrier to entry for small businesses).
The cost of doing business in South Africa must be reduced, through state investment in areas such as public transport and opening up the telecommunications and energy markets. If the electricity grid were opened to independent producers, a massive renewable energy industry could be fostered, with positive spin-offs for job creation and sustainable development.
In terms of poverty the ID advocates a minimum income grant to expand the social assistance net to all South Africans living in poverty. We would extend the school nutrition scheme to high schools and help reduce drop-out rates.
The ID believes in people-led development: latent capacity and knowledge in communities must be unlocked to augment state delivery of basic services. We will look into professional recognition of child- and youth-care workers and ensure that unemployed people are trained to provide for this need. We will train teacher assistants to help in areas such as discipline.
The causes of crime and the failings of the criminal justice system need to be addressed simultaneously. We must address the underlying factors that lead many children and youths to criminal activity.
We need to hire more police, with special emphasis on detectives and forensic scientists, and ensure they are properly trained and resourced. The ID would provide proper government assistance to community police forums and strengthen crime-fighting partnerships. We will continue to play a leading role in rooting out corruption and would ensure that all those implicated are brought to justice.
Our policy proposals give life to our progressive social-democratic agenda, from economics, health and education to arts, culture and the environment.
Lance Greyling is the policy convener of the Independent Democrats