THE ANC government is failing Mzansi people and this is evident on social grant payment dates when you see gogos and madalas forming long queues to get their pension grants.
This remark was made by the African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader, Vuyo Zungula at Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto on Sunday, 24 March.
“We need to build a capable state in our country because if you look at South Africa, the state is failing in our country. That is why you find our gogos having to sleep outside post offices because they want their grants. It is because of the failure of the state. If you look at all of the things that are going wrong in our country, they paint one clear picture, the state is failing to govern,” said Zungula.
He said the priority of the ATM is to build a capable state that plays a critical role in creating a good quality of life for all. He said his party is against privatisation.
“South Africa can never belong to the private sector and the private sector can never be given a responsibility to create a good quality life. It is the state that must play that role,” he said.
He emphasised that there must be a timeous and dependable grant system because South Africa cannot afford to have grants they receive today, but tomorrow they are not available.
“Grants must be increased to reflect the needs of our people,” he said. Zungula said there must be investments in roads and other infrastructure so that people and goods are able to move around easily.
He said: “But critically, we must make sure state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are supported to make sure they succeed.”
He claimed that SOEs that serve the majority of Mzansi such as Eskom and the post office were sabotaged so that they can be privatised.
ALSO READ | MIC GRABBING: King Misuzulu finally speaks!
“There is a clear programme of ensuring that these SOEs that are serving the masses of our people are destroyed and we don’t agree with that as ATM. We believe there is enough capacity and resources to be in the hands of the state so that the state is able to play a critical role in serving the people,” he said.
Zungula said ATM will make sure there is quality healthcare for everyone. He said government must employ environmental health practitioners to deal with fake foods.
“We have a problem of fake food that is killing our children. People are being poisoned deliberately by these fake foods,” he said.
He called for traditional healers and izangoma to be given space to operate and practise in dignified areas.
“We need to fight for them because they are authentic Africans. It cannot be that when izangoma want to practise, they have to go to a western institution to ask for permission,” said Zungula.
He said royal and faith leaders must be give responsibility and a meaningful role to shape the moral character of the country. He said currently, Mzansi lacks discipline for elders.
“That is not who we are as Africans. That is why we need traditional and faith leaders to mold our people because if we fail to do that we will have animals. The animals are those 18-year-olds who see it fit to rape grannies. We need to bring back Ubuntu to our people,” he said.
For more news and entertainment at the palm of your hand, follow our WhatsApp Channel via this link:
