Party pushes home Human Rights Day message
ACDP leader addressed a large gathering in KwaMakhutha on Friday, 21 March.
AFRICAN Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader, Kenneth Meshoe visited KwaMakhutha on 21 March, Human Rights Day, to address supporters in the area.
Meshoe said: “We need to stop discussing ‘strong opposition’ and start talking about ‘replacing’ the government. If we want a better South Africa, talking about what happened 20 years ago is not going to provide jobs. People must not vote out of loyalty to a party, but must consider the best option, to give hope for a great future.”
He also addressed corruption, saying that the ruling party continues with corruption with impunity.
“The government cannot deal with issues such as human trafficking and drug addiction as many officials, including some in parliament, are on the payroll of gangsters. Gangs are targeting young children and robbing them of their safety, security and hope for the future. How can learners concentrate when there are gunshots outside their classrooms, when they are being recruited by gangs? If there are allegations against ACDP public office bearers being on the payroll of criminals, they would be investigated and if found guilty, fired and handed over to the police.”
The ACDP leader encouraged supporters to work hard to start building a government South Africa desperately needs. The leader also praised members who had signed on thousands of additional members in KZN.
ACDP provincial leader Jo-Ann Downs spoke on how the party can offer a better life for 48% of KZN residents who are living in poverty, 96,000 in eThekwini alone. ACDP has plans to provide better job opportunities and improve education, two of the core interventions needed to lift people out of poverty.
Downs also spoke on clean drinking water, which is a human right. She said people of South Africa deserve to have hope for a better future. “The biggest growth is in small and informal business and government needs to boost this sector, instead of government officials making profits from doing business with government. Money should be put into training people to start small businesses like shisa inyamas and selling madumbis to cater for local markets. South Africa needs leaders like Dr Meshoe, who have never tried to make money by doing business with government. ACDP will give you leaders who care about others, who care about the poor, who will not steal, who will tell the truth at all cost. We need change.”
UKZN student council representative and founder of NGO ‘Driving to Success’, Ketsani Njoko told the youth about where things are going wrong in improving opportunities for them to study further. “Those who come from ‘poor’ backgrounds cannot afford fees, the application processes and text books to go to tertiary institutions.”
Driving to Success goes to schools and educates youth about their prospects after school. They identify issues faced by students and involve other organisations and professionals to try and solve them.
