Political parties debate their policies in a discussion with members of the public at Every Nation Rosebank
PARKTOWN NORTH – Five political parties went head to head discussing their policies at Every Nation Rosebank Church.
Representatives from five political parties debated a number of topical matters of interest at Every Nation Rosebank church ahead of the upcoming elections.
The well-supported community event gave an opportunity for members of the public to engage parties about their policies on a number of issues including accountability, coalition politics, land, national health insurance and inclusivity, among others.
Pastor Simon Lerefolo discussed the reasoning behind this conversation at the church. “The church needs to engage with issues of society not only at election time but on a continual basis. The church must engage courageously in conversation around morals, ethics and nation building.”
Deputy secretary general of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) Eugene Ntshabela disappointed audience members with his attempt to drum up support at the Christian event. He described the ACDP as the lone voice of conscience in the political landscape. He also spoke of the importance of the church and civil society in keeping government accountable, particularly in spaces where false prophets are abusing their power.
African National Congress (ANC) councillor Mzwandile Tyobeka spent much time reflecting on the ANC’s successes in creating employment and their emphasis behind supporting small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) for economic growth. The audience laughed at Tyobeka who fumbled over statistics during his address. He also emphasised the fact that the ANC’s land policy was not stolen from the EFF, but rather a long-term strategy of the ANC, used to empower the people who will have ownership of the land.
Former executive mayor of the City of Tshwane and Gauteng premier candidate Solly Msimanga received much applause from the multi-racial gathering. Msimanga discussed the various dreams he and the Democratic Alliance have for the future of South Africa. He targeted the Christian audience by expressing his desire for servant leaders.
“Let God open the floodgates of heaven and let it rain,” he declared.
He said that the church needs to stand up and reclaim their role as the guides of good morals and stand up to poor leaders. He also expressed the DA’s desire to protect the rights of landowners, “To take land is easy, but what you decide to do with it is a challenge,” he said confronting members of the ANC and EFF.
He, however, avoided the question of white privilege to the disappointment of audience members.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) commissar Tseko Mafanya said, “The EFF’s policy on land and jobs is clear. Land is everything and land that has been stolen needs to be expropriated without compensation. The government will be the custodian of this land to be redistributed equitably.” He also emphasised EFF’s policy to build more cities, create implementable programmes to combat crime and drive economic growth by placing emphasis on producing 80 per cent of its products locally.
“The EFF is the only party that when it speaks, it implements as it is…The EFF is not anti-white, but rather anti-white minority capital,” said Mafanya.
As a newcomer to the political landscape, the Good Party was represented by Lehlohonolo Mtshali. He said, “A lot has been promised and little has been delivered. Criminals are running our cities. I am calling on all young people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired to vote Good. We are also the first organisation to entertain the idea of spatial justice.”
Mtshali said that the government should not create jobs but rather create conditions where businesses can thrive. He also focused on the formalisation of informal settlements by giving title deeds to the marginalised.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/250364/elections-2019-apply-special-vote-national-provincial-elections/amp
