Opposition: Zuma long on intentions, short on action

If Pres.Zuma is serious about finding employment for the disadvantaged and presently unemployed masses, there are a couple of wonderful opportunities for him - disaster management and environmental reparation and maintenance. These are two public services that will become increasingly important as global warming and climate change start intensifying. He could employ half a million during the course of this year for intensive skills training to form two dedicated and permanent task units. We are familiar with disaster management functions but environmental reparation and maintenance is not so well understood. A permanent force dedicated to these tasks could start paying for itself very quickly. It could start by focussing upon our most precious commodity - water - by clearing and cleaning up our rivers and wetland regions, locating illegal toxic waste dumping sites and industrial contamination activities and, with appropriate authority prosecute offenders. With 250 000 new recruits every year for the next five years, this particular unit could create specialised sub-sets concentrating upon the various types of environmental contamination, not least of all safe sanitation and clean water needs in rural areas throughout the country.
A healthier environment will be rewarded by healthier lives, reduced sickness and medical expenses, increased productivity and greatly improved tourist attraction.
By having these two units fully trained and equipped, proactively engaged in their particular functions, we shall be ready to meet global warming and climate change fully prepared.

Zille's farcical assertion that the govt. intend moving towards a more centralised state and therefore erode the power of the Provinces, should be dismissed with the contempt it deserve. By this statement this woman prove that she is more interested in power for herself and party. This woman should remember there are more important issues that must be dealt with like an economy that is shrinking worldwide, a one not of the govt.'s doing but by the greed of the champions of capitalism in the capitals of North America and Western Europe! Zille is the leader of an opposition with 15% of the vote and therefore her views cannot guide our country's future political discourse! The poor, marginalised, unemployed and others demand national govt. intervention in all areas of governance, whether it is in Zille's backyard in the WC or not!

I think that the government, and opposition parties, are missing a golden opportunity in the midst of the "Global Economic Crisis". It is my humble opinion that we may be witnessing the demise of capitalism as we know and understand it. Greed has been the catalyst that has led us to this point, and there may be no way around it this time. With climate change and all manner of political strife all over the globe, I think its time that we rethink our strategies for living at a very fundamental level. We need to be concentrating on models for sustainable living, alternative energy and perhaps an entirely new cultural model that we can begin to coax our children into. If we don't find new and revolutionary solutions to the survival hurdles that face us, we may not have to worry about the "Global Economic Crisis" for much longer because the Global Economy may collapse! It is insane to keep on throwing the same solutions at the age old problems and expect a different result. Lets get together as Africans, who are not as deeply entrenched in the western roller coaster ride, and invent new planet friendly ways to deal with the challenges facing us. Jobs are not a feasible way of circumventing the issues at hand, real sustainable village living IS. Think Permaculture (Google it if you don't know what it is!). Think Hybrid Economy. Think letting go of what you know, and let your mind wonder outside of the box. Lets move away from our beloved Calvanist work ethic and be more creative and eco-friendly, please President Zuma!

Whingers & whiners, they shall remain forever disgruntled and dissatisfied.
Pathetic 10% parties...

Bob, I couldn't agree with you more. That is a really good idea! I knew there were people out there capable of thinking outside of the box. How can we get the man to listen? Maybe its up to us to make it happen? Governments all over the world are known for their inability to act. May the Force be with you!

Hey SS dude! I have been reading through your comments all over this site. It seems to me that you are the whinger & whiner really. You have such a negative commentator, especially when it comes to comments which you perceive to be coming from "white" africans. I love being a South African and my interest in politics is that the correct path be taken. I am not interested in the race or beliefs of the person in power, just that they make all of our lives better. I wish that you and your ilk would get over yourselves and start contributing to a more positive and meaningful future. Analyse carefully the other comments on this article and maybe you will find some inspiration for your life!

Freddie, get over yourself and your various and sundry 'chips'. The ANC won the election in 6 out of 7 provinces. Don't you think they have enough of the country to take care of and show us what they can do. After all they control the government and all the ministries, that should give them a pretty good headstart. I say competition is good for everyone, nobody does well when there is a monopoly, economic or political.

@ Freddie and Siphiwo; can you explain the ANC's increasingly vocal noises about doing away with provincial governments etc, if they are not intending to centralise power?

All I hear is racist attacks on HZ, but no explanations of how centralising power can benefit us. I am convinced it won't, but am interested to hear a good case for the centralisation of power. If you have a good arguement for, then please put it forward. I have explained why I don't believe it is a good idea on previous posts. I'd like to hear the potential benefits from your perspective?

@ Nahor. I don't think you will get much of a response from SS. He gives the impression, intentionally or otherwise, that original ideas are forbidden territory.
While centralised government is a highly charged subject, I believe the absence of centralised party discipline and accountability is an issue for debate.
All too often accountability at ANC controlled Municipal levels is conspicuous by its absence, regardless of demands for participative governance directed from national level. As important as national governance obviously is, the main thrust of nationwide service delivery must be at the Municipal level. This is the level at which the country's voters live and work and, this is where service delivery is so desperately needed. Unfortunately, from practical experience, calls upon Provincial government to intercede on one's behalf have no effect. There appears to be a policy of detached autonomy playing out at all three levels of governance with no evidence of centralised policing and admonishment from the top down.
Regardless of party political leadership at Provincial and Local levels, service delivery excellence at all Municipal levels must prevail and, centralised governance should be granted the power to ensure that it does.

Thanks Bob - I guess that's a fair point; I think my concern comes from centralising power in ANC hands more than anything else. If they weren't all so tainted by corruption and mismanagment, then I'd probably feel less worried about it all. My concern is that the anc would steer recources away from non ANC aligned communities, and look after their own supporters only. It mght be paranoia, but my Dad had similar concerns about Mugabe's centralisaton of power in Zim, prompting a move to SA; unfortunatly he was proven correct.

The ANC has been talking about the poor for over 10 years. Today there are more poor than there were 10 years ago, and by next year there will still be more poor as well.

@Nahor
Your point is well taken but Mugabe and his gang are something else. Even I, a devoit pesimist, would be loath to compare his despotic psyche to that of the ANC. JZ, from his position as president has broadcast loud and clear his intention to combat corruption at all levels. He could get a doctorate on the subject, so we must assume he is aware of what has been going on at all levels of government and will take steps to stamp it out from this point forward. He knows his declarations of sound governance will be recorded by international observers so he will be more anxious than before to protect his presidential integrity.
The most recent revelations of corruption in high places have provided an excellent opportunity for him to convert promises into action. The world will be watching, and waiting.

Zille wil fail the W.Cape cz service delivery has no connectioin with talkin very much and is something that even her media friends can not help her about