WATCH: President Ramaphosa addresses SA from Alberton
President Ramaphosa addressed the concerns raised during the Taking Parliament to the People project.
THE Taking Parliament to the People project led by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) came to a head at the Alberton Civic Centre on November 22 when President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the people of South Africa.
The project, which ran from November 19, saw the NCOP speaking to community members about their concerns. Both oral and written submissions were combined by the council to be brought to the president’s attention.
“It must be a special moment when we can bring the parliament of our people to the people who elected their representatives,” said Ramaphosa. “For me it is a real honour to have this opportunity to be among you.”
Issues put forward by the community for the president’s attention included poor service delivery, crime, illegal mining, congestion and the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
WATCH:
https://www.facebook.com/albertonrekord/videos/255259778472748/
Ramaphosa noted that the large majority of municipalities were performing badly in their annual audits and he took a firm stance against corruption and mismanagement.
The president vowed to increase the economic growth of the country, to ensure a better quality of life for the most vulnerable members of society.
For Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa proposed an increase in industry.
“Ekurhuleni is the manufacturing capital of South Africa and we want to continue growing there,” he said, adding that this would help create jobs for people in the area.
After the president’s address, NCOP chairperson Thandi Modise opened the debate by informing the president about the council’s findings made during public hearings and community visits.
The prime concerns were health clinics and the police force.
Community members said clinics were understaffed and did not offer the required lifesaving services needed at all hours.
They added that the police were taking bribes and were unable to prevent crime.
In his closing address, Ramaphosa promoted the rapid land release programme that was implemented in Ekurhuleni. He said that government-owned land that can be used by citizens should be released to him. Ramaphosa said Ekurhuleni should serve as an example for other provinces to also release land.
Ramaphosa went on to announce his Cabinet reshuffle. The newly appointed ministers are Siyabonga Cwele as minister of home affairs, Nomvula Mokonyane as minister of environmental affairs and Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams as Minister of Communications and Telecommunications.
WATCH:
https://www.facebook.com/albertonrekord/videos/256633495016641/
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Attendees about the President’s speech
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