Fishers’ Hill a stop on Solly Msimanga’s listening tour
#MsimangaForPremier: DA Gauteng Premier Candidate Solly Msimanga takes his Listening Tour to workers in Germiston and Soweto.
The DA’s Gauteng Premier candidate, Solly Msimanga, took his Listening Tour to workers in Germiston last Tuesday morning.
As the country is facing an economic recession, Msimanga sought to engage with workers to determine how the increase in the cost of living has affected them, as well as their working conditions.
The tours also form part of their research in conducting their 2019 election manifesto.
The tour kicked off in Fishers’ Hill, at Talon Tools, a company that specialises in the sale of gardening, farming and DIY tools, before heading out to Soweto.
Mervin Guy, founder and chairman of Talon Tools, expressed concern over the increasing crime rate, multiplying informal settlements in the country and the level of healthcare provided in public hospitals and clinics.
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“We have implemented a zero-tolerance policy on crime and theft and have set procedures in place ensuring that my workers have longevity in the workplace without the fear of losing their jobs,” said Guy.
“However, I worry about their safety outside the workplace as I do my own safety, something has to be done about the crime and healthcare.”
The overall tour revealed the uncertainty felt by workers, because the unstable economy could yield distressing results for them in future.
Speaking on cracking down on crime, Msimanga said his office invested in the apt training of EMPD and SAPS officers by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
He also stated that his main priority was to give people decent stands with sewer line pipes, water and electricity.
“I may not be able to build you a house, but I can provide you the start you need.
“People have mentioned to me that they are not charity cases, they want the opportunity to do things for themselves,” said Msimanga.
According to Msimanga, the government is to be blamed for its corruption, and for failing in its plan to support businesses and attract investors so as to boost the Gauteng economy.
“Gauteng’s micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) are struggling to survive and to sustain their production,” he said.
“These companies are being negatively impacted by cheap imports from other countries, and as a result are forced to shut down production, as they cannot compete on an equal footing.”
After leaving Germiston, the tour headed out to Dita Products in Devland, Soweto, which specialises in plastic injection moulding.
This company, fully furnished with adequate equipment that is not used due to a lack of job contracts, had to reduce its staff from 75 to 20 employees.
Workers also expressed concern over their long term job security if production plants are not going to recover.
Crime is also a serious challenge in the area. Companies are vandalised, broken into and their goods stolen which affects their productivity.
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“The employees are not safe; they are attacked and robbed of their belongings on their way to and from work in the mornings and evenings.
“Transport costs are expensive with the rise in petrol prices; workers have to walk to and from work in an unsafe environment.
“There is a severe lack of adequate service delivery at the clinics and hospitals, the workers are forced to take a half-day or day off from work to send their children to the hospitals due to the long queues,” said Msimanga.
The DA is adamant that they are the only party to bring about the change needed in the province, as Gauteng companies and residents are in dire need of a government that will attract investors and ensure thriving businesses.
“We are committed to creating employment opportunities for all South Africans, fighting corruption and ensuring access to job opportunities for all,” said Msimanga.
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