Opposition parties say Premier Alan Winde’s address during the opening of the Western Cape provincial parliament on Wednesday lacked a plan to change the lives of the poor and instead bragged about awards won by the provincial government.
In his address, Winde said his government would build on the successes achieved over the past five years and was committed to helping the Government of National Unity (GNU) succeed.
“We will support them when it is in the interest of our residents and fight for our residents when we do not believe that they are doing so,” he said.
Winde also said they would focus on financial stability over the next five years. He said the province had the fastest-growing population in the country and had the third highest population, yet it got the fifth largest budget allocation.
“This is not right and we are going to fight for what our residents justly deserve.”
Winde said the unemployment rate would be brought to below 20%.
“That is why we will work closely with the GNU to ensure that Operation Vulindlela’s plans are implemented.
Here in the Western Cape, we want to see it make an impact on improving the viability of our port, freight and logistics networks because we need to get this economy moving.”
ANC chief whip Ayanda Bans said she was disappointed by Winde’s speech.
“It was not people-driven. There was nothing speaking about the communities,” Bans said.
She said Winde “showed off” after he mentioned the Public Service Award the Western Cape won at the UN Public Service Forum and the Topco award for being the top employer.
“But he was silent and quiet on issues like George, where a building collapsed and lives were lost. As the ANC we were expecting him to come and account on that and say ‘this is what happened and these are the people we are holding accountable’. There is nothing said about that,” Bans said.
EFF chief whip Aishah Cassiem said Winde spoke about storms and disaster but did not mention the biggest disaster on the Cape Flats and other parts of the province, which was crime, drugs and gangsterism.
Winde’s speech focused more on tourism and investment, and not townships and poor communities suffering in dire conditions.
“It had no plans for the province, especially when it comes to service delivery. His entire speech was bragging over a whole lot of nothing,” Cassiem said.
GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron said Winde clearly had no coherent plan to change the lives of the poor, the marginalised and the homeless.
Herron said Winde failed dismally to present a roadmap with the necessary and relevant governing priorities.
“The lack of a vision for changing the lives of those who live in diabolical and inhuman conditions was evident from the absence of any acknowledgement of his obligation and commitment to do so,” Herron said.
He also said Winde’s lengthy focus on a well-functioning administration which won awards for the use of technology and being a preferred employer was self-indulgent.
“The premier failed the people of the Western Cape today because he was unable to see that he could harness the power of a functional government for the benefit of those who need government the most. A so-called well-run government is of no value to those who need that government’s support when there is no plan to change their lives,” Herron said.
DA chief whip Gillion Bosman welcomed Winde’s address, saying he acknowledged the immense challenges still faced in the province.
“The DA in the Western Cape wishes the premier and the entire Western Cape government well as they embark on this new term, and stand ready to support their crucial initiatives and programmes to better serve the residents of this province,” Bosman said.
Cape Times