LIMPOPO – Maimane said he is delighted to announce that Jacques Smalle is the DA Premier candidate for the 2019 election.
“We are gathered here on the grounds where Ratunku Primary School should be. Eight years ago, the Ratunku Primary School was meant to be built for the children of Masodi, some of whom are with us today. You can see why it is now referred to as the ‘invisible school’ because all that has come of this promise is the abandoned space we find ourselves in. There is still no school today, as the young children of this village are left behind by the ANC government.”
Maimane also expressed his concern about the Makhado Project negotiated between South African coal exploration, development and mining company, MC Mining, and a Chinese construction enterprise, China Railway International Group. “This deal of almost R150 billion will develop a 4 600-megawatt coal-fired plant in the Makhado-Musina Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and has been signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The terms of reference of this deal have been cloaked in secrecy. The electricity and jobs created will only benefit the new Chinese-controlled industrial park, akin to a country within our country.
“Smalle will probe the Chinese and the government about the impact it will have on the people from Limpopo. Maimane said: “Smalle has a passion for this province and its people who was born and raised in Limpopo’s Vhembe district and is a proud Tshivenda speaker. When the province was placed under administration, it was his dogged fight that more than tripled norms and standards which made it possible for schools to become more independent. Smalle believe to focus on incomplete infrastructure projects in the province such as Ratunku Primary School, before starting on new infrastructure projects to ensure that we use resources effectively.
“His cross-sector experience leaves him well placed to deliver on his offer to ensure that locals are the first to benefit in all SEZ developments by ensuring transparency on all Terms of Reference (TOR) and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU).
Maimane said few are as well qualified as Jacques to champion the DA’s call for freedom, fairness, opportunity and diversity throughout Limpopo. “As of now, he will champion the DA’s charge for change and mission to unseat the incapable ANC government in the province. Smalle will lead a team dedicated to eradicate corruption and will call for a commission of inquiry into the VBS Mutual Bank investment scandal before Limpopo municipalities lose another R1,1 billion to service delivery projects in the province.
His team will target its spending on completing incomplete infrastructure projects and clearing the infrastructure backlog for rural township schools. With 37,4% of Limpopo resident unemployed or have given up hope of even finding a job, so many have been left behind, Limpopo needs a leader willing and able to fight for one Limpopo with one future for all. I pledge the support of the DA’s national leadership to Jacques in his campaign to bring this change to Limpopo.”
redaksie.bosvelder@nm.group.co.za
