Western Cape Premier Helen Zille’s state of the province address on Friday lacked vision and the ability to inspire people “to a new deal”, the Congress of South African Trade Unions said on Saturday.
“The focus of the speech is the same old Democratic Alliance policy of defending white elite privileges, whilst allocating crumbs to the poor,” Cosatu’s Western Cape provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich said.
“There is no attempt by the premier to integrate the communities as she seems to defend the present divisions and separation that exist in the province between black and white, rich and poor.”
Ehrenreich said “the poverty situation” of the majority of the people of the Western Cape was desperate, yet Zille had “no tangible plans” to address this.
“The Western Cape is the most unequal province in the country yet it does not even get a mention that inequality is the key impediment to development.
“The Western Cape has the most top-billing style housing and the highest proportion of shacks, but this also is not mentioned as a problem.”
‘Choice for growth is a choice for the poor’
In her speech to the provincial legislature, Zille said the party had prioritised economic growth and employment.
“A choice for growth is a choice for the poor,” she said.
“Unless we ensure that everyone has the chance to get a job, the South African dream will never be more than a dream. A job is a passport out of poverty and the start of the path to prosperity,” she said.
Zille said growing businesses created jobs and that the government’s job was to create an environment that attracted investors, encouraged innovation and supported initiative.
Zille said the provincial government’s role was, among other things, to ensure government was clean, efficient and effective.
“Corruption is stealing from the poor, those most in need of the state’s assistance.”
‘Clean sweep’
Zille said that in the Western Cape, the commitment to clean, effective government was firmly established.
“Our commitment to efficient and clean government is reflected in last year’s auditor general reports.
“It was the first time since our democracy began that a province received unqualified audits across all departments and public entities. A clean sweep,” she said.
Clean government was essential, but not enough. Government should also spend taxpayers’ money effectively, and make a measurable difference to peoples lives.
“In the Western Cape, we are almost finished quantifying every outcome we wish to achieve.”
Zille said a growing economy should connect people through transport and technology, and the Western Cape could not afford to be left behind in this regard.
A telecommunications strategy was being developed, based on a fibre-optic network that connected government, citizens and the economy to improve productivity and access to new markets. – Sapa