“This action is ten years overdue,” said Mark Kotze, provincial spokesperson on Housing, “and we can only hope that the ANC will now apply some consistency in this process and not leave it to reach crisis point again.

“What must be remembered, is that these tenders were awarded by ANC cadres in the province and we must wonder whether there will be some accountability there as well,” he said. “Their tenders for comrades policy has come home to roost.”

The CDA has been highly involved at many levels of the housing process in the province and has been callingfor a review of the entire system and process for some years.

“It is all very well to put these projects out for re-rendering’” said Kotze, “but unless the ANC is willing to change its methodologies, we will simply be setting ourselves up for the next round of failures.”

“Our rape statistics continue to climb due to our ineffective justice system but we must not underestimate the role attitudes have to play,” said Kevin Southgate, CDA spokesperson on Crime and Justice.

“The attitude that people ask to be raped due to the way they dress or speak is not only archaic but sends a clear message to rapists that their actions are justified,” he said. “How anyone can take that cold blooded stance especially with the rape of a 7 year old is beyond understanding.”

The CDA has called for a full investigation into the allegation and demands the dismissal of the teacher if found to be true.

“Parents place their children into the trust of educators and unless these teachers can show proper care and live up to the trust put in them, they have no place in our education system,” said Southgate.

“We call upon parents to take a lesson from this episode and to be more aware of bringing their children up in a manner that removes them from risk,” said Southgate. “Children must be raised with higher moral values and girls especially, not be allowed to fall into the peer pressure trap of under dressing simply to impress the opposite sex or to outdo the friends in the promiscuity game.”

“There are still to many people out there who feel rape is not a serious crime, others who justify it and no justice system to ensure these filthy criminals are removed from society,” he said. “Too many youth criminals are totally disregarding of the law because our legal system protects them more than it does the victims.

Further information : Kevin Southgate 0827881181

The CDA had previously called for a full report, amidst clear signs of mismanagement and financial decline.

“The resignation of two board members is welcomed, but only partially addresses the problem,” said Colin Fibiger, CDA spokesperson on Economic Affairs. “The board failed to react to simple economic and business indicators and must out of common decency hand the reins over to those more capable.”

“This financial mismanagement issue is becoming commonplace in our economic landscape,” said Fibiger, “as the ANC deployment policy constantly values and reflects political loyalty above competence – and in fact in many instances totally ignores competency issues.”

“Once again, taxpayers money has been lost and the propping up of Sentech through grants has only hidden the rot below the surface for a while,” said Fibiger. “One must ask how long it will take the ANC to learn what any first year economics or business sciences student can tell them.”

“The company ha always lacked a clear vision, placed no prioritisation on its telecoms business or ensured it had basic competencies in place to effectively conduct it’s business.” He said. “Typical of socialist thinking, it stagnated in a comfort zone of earning 75% of it’s income via SABC – another failing state organisation, ensured a few top beaurocrats earned top dollar and made no effort to show ingenuity, entrepreneurship or proactive business approaches.”

The CDA has also called for the clarifying of the Sentech mandate so as to separate political expediency and meddling from profitability and good governance.

Colin Fibiger, CDA spokesperson on Economic Affairs, has responded on the party’s behalf, following Motlanthe’s inauguration speech at the first meeting of the BEE advisory council.

“Other than the admission of failure, we also welcome the fact that the advisory council has finally gotten off the ground,” said Fibiger. “We have all known that the ANC’s BEE policy has left most people sidelined and in fact discriminate against and must ask if this is the reason President Zuma delayed the council launch for over two years.”

“Sadly, we as a nation have done very little to redress the wrongs of the past and address the economic empowerment of those previously disenfranchised,” he said. “The elitism that is an inherent part of who and what the ANC is, is playing itself out in the economic field, to the detriment of all.”

“If the government is indeed serious about broad based back economic empowerment, they need to move away from the present greed driven fight for forced wealth distribution,” said Fibiger, “and begin to show their intent by focusing on a holistic approach which would address issues of education, labour disruption through union politics and the shift toward a value added manufacturing industry.”

“The white wealthy of today did not get there overnight,” he said. “We as a nation need to adopt a longer term strategy, with clear goals, driven by a policy of economic potential empowerment.”

The CDA views the current BEE policy as nothing more than an election campaign strategy with no real concern for the future needs of our people, or the ongoing demand for justice still by and large outstanding.

“What is also disappointing is that although Motlanthe admits their failures, he offers no signal that current practices would cease,” said Fibiger. “He also gives no indication of a way forward which only confirms that the ANC has run out of ideas and is now simply desperately holding on to power, as opposed to actually offering leadership and governance to the nation.

“Having an affair is cheap and nasty,” said Nomrod Kepe, a member of the CDA provincial leadership council. “There is no further debate to be had on the matter.”

“To try and hide behind Zulu culture only further reflects the weakness of the man,” said Kepe, “and the ANC policy of non accountability for its leaders.”

“My father once told me many years ago that the true mark of manhood was if a man was willing to unconditionally repent and take responsibility, when having done a wrong,” he said. “If that is true then the president of South Africa is not a man at all.”

“To even claim that his philandering is Zulu culture is a blatant lie and an insult to all Zulus,” said Kepe. “The fact that he is negotiating to pay “inhlawulo” (damages) is within Zulu culture, confirmation that a wrong has been done and must therefore be addressed.”

“Aside from the fact that he is our president, he has failed in every measure to just be a good man and a good citizen,” he said. “He has embarrassed us as a nation, disgusted us as men and added insult to injury in his treatment of women.”

“To even begin to claim that he has acted in accordance with his AIDS speech has removed what little credibility the mad had left,” said Kepe. “Taking personal responsibility for AIDS is to prevent the spread of the disease – not to facilitate its destruction of our nation and then offer a couple of cows to fix it up.”

“You are the laughing stock of South Africa and the world Mr Zuma – save us from further embarrassment and resign.”

We currently have headlines of the Competitions Board imposing hefty penalties on offenders, as well as doing urgent investigations into SAA and other airlines price collusion strategies for the Soccer World Cup,” said Fibiger, economic spokesperson of the party, “but no one is batting an eyelid when the minister of communications announces that they are busy colluding with telecoms firms to set uniform pricing structures.”

“While we have no problem with putting pressure on the prices of telecommunications,” said Fibiger, “to do so by negotiations behind the scenes is surely in contravention of our competition laws.”

The CDA views this kind of action as typical of the hypocrisy of the ANC and reflects their absence of having any real values base from which to operate.

“If the minister wishes to see pricing on telecommunications reduced, he needs to ensure we as a nation reject the dictatorship economic style of the ANC and open the doors to additional service providers,” said Fibiger. “The ANC’s insistence of controlling everything has closed the doors to effective competition in many areas.”

I, like many others remember the second of February 20 years ago vividly and sometimes as if it were yesterday. De Klerk announced that Nelson Mandela would be freed.

And with that announcement we knew that we had reached a turning point in our history. That we had finally overcome. That at last we could embark on the highway to freedom.

On the day of his release, everyone watched. Even those who had their misgivings and those who would have had the status quo of apartheid and separatism remain. We all watched and the excitement across the country was tangible.

I donned my “Free Mandela” T-shirt and spent the day amidst old friends lapping up their joy and thriving within it. Most of this day I spent in Red Location, one of the oldest locations in South Africa – Where better to experience the real effect of Madibas release?

And then the moment finally arrived – our future president spoke – and as one we roared our approval. For while it seemed as though he would never get a chance to actually deliver his speech, such was the infectious enthusiasm of the crowd. Each time he opened his mouth his words were drowned out by cheers. Cheers of a nation, not just celebrating a man but celebrating freedom.

For many it was still almost unreal – freedom in our lifetime. A slogan had become reality. So many times it had seemed so far away. So many times seeming to slip away again. But this was real and I could not but let my thoughts slip back in time.

I smiled inwardly wondering where the policemen were that “arrested” me for playing soccer with the coloured convent school when I was a child in the 70’s. I cried deeply for those I knew could not find it in their hearts to celebrate this moment – who had too much hatred and prejudice bottled up inside.

Almost laughed out loud remembering being accidentally cordoned off inside Cradock location at the announcement of the state of emergency and only being able to slip out four days later – unable to explain to my employers about my disappearing act.

More than any of those emotions, I looked around me at my fellow South Africans who had become friends. And was overwhelmed with respect. Men and women of all ages, who despite their circumstances always smiled when I arrived. Somehow dug deep and held on to their faith when I had none. Honourable citizens who deserved this moment so comprehensively it was beyond words.

And like many others, from pure thankfulness to God I wept.

And here we are twenty years later – and so much has changed.

But so much has stayed the same. Our people still suffer – in some areas more than others. We have embraced abortion, pornography and now prostitution – and we have rejected morality and values. We have embraced the greed of rampant capitalism and rejected entrepreneurial and work ethic principles alongside it.

Our list of failures now far outweighs our successes and every South African knows, deep down in their soul, that we are on a rapid road to self destruction. I do not even have to go into the messy details which reflect the state of our nation. Julius Malema is the best the ANC now has to offer in terms of youth. A morally bankrupted Jacob Zuma in terms of a presidency.

And yet despite this, I can still remember that day 20 years ago and quote a favourite Christian saying, with absolute conviction, “I am nowhere close to where I want to be – but thank God I am not where I used to be.”

How then next twenty years will judge us – is up to us all. It does not depend fortunately on the Zumas or the Malemas. It depends solely on the man in the street – and how he exercises his vote.

And if he decides to continue on a road that lacks integrity and values, then so be it. This has always been the uniqueness of mankind – the power of free will. And as much as I find our downslide reprehensible – it is nevertheless a downslide chosen by the majority.

That very fact means we have freedom. Freedom hard fought for. It also means that with patience and commitment we can change the way that freedom is exercised. Let us not forget that twenty years ago we could not have held on to that hope.

I thank you

“If they are indeed serious as they claim to be about restoring justice then they must abide by the processes of law,” he said. “Their youth leader has been charged with intimidation and he must be held accountable before a court of law.”

“The response is typical of the double standards of the DA who are quick to place themselves on a pedestal and shout about values,” he said, “but are unable to live by those same values themselves.”
Colin Fibiger 0845506559

“Rape remains one of the most horrific crimes committable by mankind and yet our response as a nation is apathetic to say the least,” said Botha. “Our police remain ill equipped to deal with the victims, our medical facilities are totally inadequate and our trauma counselling services almost non existent.”
“How can we claim to be a caring nation when we allow woman to be treated in this manner?” he said.

“Once again however, pornography has been directly linked to the crime and it is time that government took cognisance of the facts staring them in the face,” he said.

“Police statistics worldwide, as well as evidence in our own country show clear links between pornography and the prevalence of rape and yet we continue to allow this filth to fill the minds of our people.” said Botha.

“The CDA has long warned of the social danger of allowing pornography to pervade our communities and we are paying the price of so called liberals ignoring the signs, in favour of so called freedom of choice and expression,” he said.
“We would like to know what freedom of choice these two young girls had,” he said.
Theunis Botha 0836572482

“Criminals have long ago lost respect for the members of our police force and now act against them without any fear whatsoever,” said Kevin Southgate, CDA spokesperson on Safety and Security.

“This family has lost a father, a brother, simply because the ANC has failed us,” he said. “They should be help directly liable for this public servant’s murder, as it is they who have destroyed law and order in South Africa.”

“The state of the country is reflected in the fact that the Selebi’s of the world, party with known criminals and spend their time defending their own crimes in court, while hard working policeman give up their lives daily,” he said. “

“We as South Africans have to stand up and say no more!” said Southgate, “and if removing the ANC from all positions of power is what it will take then that is the task we must set our minds to.”
“The current major players politically seem fascinated with the rights of criminals instead of focusing on the rights of normal citizens to a safe and secure environment,” he said.

“The CDA says unashamedly that given the mandate of South Africans this election, there will be no place to hide for murderers,” he said, “and one of the first steps we will take is the re-introduction of the death penalty and restoration of proper law and order and effective justice.”
Kevin Southgate : 0827881181