Nearly three months since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) for the seventh administration, the DA has begun boasting about its positive strides made since its entry into the power-sharing government.
DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the DA had saved the country from a doomsday coalition of the EFF and uMkhonto weSizwe Party and brought stability and certainty to the economy.
Alluding to the economic success of its political home ground, the Western Cape, Aucamp said the markets had shown confidence in its participation in the multiparty government.
“The DA’s pro-growth economic policy platform has created confidence among investors and spawned economic green shoots that have the potential to drive growth and create jobs.
“Economists are reporting that the rand is on track for its longest winning streak since 2011, as optimism grows over the pro-business government coalition. They point out that the formation of the GNU has resulted in local assets rallying strongly amid investor optimism that a more market-friendly government will reignite the South African economy.”
Aucamp said DA ministers were dedicated to their work and continued to maintain transparency and corruption-free offices.
In recent weeks, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber revealed that former Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship might be invalid.
There had also been mounting calls by the department for green ID holders to switch to smart card IDs in order to clamp down on the issuing of fraudulent IDs and identity theft cases.
The minister said green ID holders were vulnerable to identity theft.
“Research suggests that South Africa’s green ID book is the most defrauded in Africa, with identity theft costing our country R1.5 billion per year. If you want to fight fraud and corruption, switch to a smart ID card before criminals steal your life,” Schreiber said.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube’s efforts had not gone unnoticed. She had halted a R9.8bn National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) contract that would have fed learners in schools under a single provider.
The contract was under investigation after allegations of corruption surfaced. The NSNP is a feeding scheme for learners in indigent schools.
Aucamp said the ministers’ implementations followed the DA’s party mandate in the GNU, “which promotes the protection of the Constitution, a sustainable fiscal framework, and urgent implementation of operation Vulindlela”.
Operation Vulindlela aimed to unbundle Eskom, render a skilled visa programme, title deed reform, mineral rights reform and spectrum availability.
Aucamp said the DA’s entry in the GNU had attracted international investors.
“Ninety-five percent of foreign investors are looking to increase their exposure to SA, with 30% of these planning to do so within the next three months. The surge in the rand is a clear indicator that international markets are responding positively to the DA’s role in promoting economic stability and growth,” he said.
The Star