AN ACTIONSA government will make education a number one priority.
This is what the party said during its manifesto launch at the Ellis Park Arena, Joburg, on Saturday, 23 March.
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba told thousands of party supporters that the manifesto was not a long list of populist promises and unrealistic commitments.
He said: “It is a vision of what is possible under an ethical and competent government and forms a pragmatic and implementable action to fix South Africa, by addressing the greatest challenges facing our people.
“Our plan will unlock millions of new jobs, safer communities, secured boarders, access to quality education and healthcare for all, and for the first time, the inclusive empowerment of all previously disadvantaged South Africans, as well as those who have been hamstrung by three decades under an uncaring, unethical and unpatriotic government.”
Mashaba promised that under ActionSA rule, no academically qualified student will be excluded from further education due to a lack funds.
“We will ensure that student funding will be a top priority ahead of any government expense,” he said.
He said problems Mzansi faces are visible for all to see.
He pointed out that crime was spiraling out of control, ports were in chaos, trains not running, and unemployment and inequality were on the rise.
Mashaba said when President Cyril Ramaphosa sought to highlight the success of his government during the State of the Nation Address and using the image a citizen named Tintswalo, he showed how out of touch the governing party had become detached from lived experiences of the majority of South Africans.
He said despite false promises of new a dawn, life for most South African was more difficult than it was in 2018.
Mashaba said the ANC government had made some progress after 1994 but corruption and cadre deployment took root and the hopes and dreams of South Africans became a forgotten priority.
He said there were more unemployed people than there were in 1994.
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He said within five years in government, ActionSA would launch programmes that would result in the private sector creating 4,8 million jobs.
“This will reduce unemployment to roughly 18%,” said Mashaba.
He added that his party would end load shedding within two years in government.
He said ActionSA would, among other top priorities, restore the rule of law, stamp out corruption, fight drug abuse and gender-based violence.
Mashaba dismissed the notion that South Africans were lazy.
“They want to work. But job-killing economic policies and poor-quality education are holding us back from unlocking an employment revolution."
He emphasised that no country could flourish, and no economy could grow in a state of chaos.
He reiterated his statement that ActionSA would cut the government’s R3,7 billion budget for VIP protection.
He said his government would establish specialised policing units to tackle murder, rape, drugs and financial crimes.
“Under ActionSA, a life in prison will mean life in prison,” said Mashaba.
