ANC FREE STATE RENEWAL, SERVICE DELIVERY, ECONOMIC GROWTH @KASIBCNEWS

The African National Congress (ANC) has embarked on a comprehensive renewal programme aimed at restoring public confidence, strengthening the organisation, and ensuring that it remains a reliable and effective force for change in South Africa. This renewal process is a direct response to the challenges facing the movement, including declining public trust, inefficiencies in governance, and the need to realign the ANC with the aspirations of the people. 

The programme focuses on rebuilding branches, improving governance, rooting out corruption, enhancing service delivery, and reconnecting the movement with communities. Through this renewal, the ANC is determined to ensure that its structures operate efficiently, that leaders remain accountable to the people, and that service delivery is fasttracked to improve the lives of all South Africans. At its core, the ANC’s renewal programme is about aligning the movement with the aspirations of the people by fostering a leadership that is principled, accountable, and service-oriented. 

This process entails strengthening ANC structures through rigorous political education, thorough membership audits, and leadership development initiatives to ensure that only committed and disciplined cadres are entrusted with leading the organisation. Central to this renewal is a commitment to ethical governance, which prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the eradication of inefficiencies in service delivery. Equally important is the drive for economic transformation, ensuring that policies are not only growth-oriented but also deliberately structured to uplift the poor and working class, addressing inequalities and creating sustainable opportunities for all South Africans.  

The NWC visit to the Free State flows from the decision by the NEC to visit all provinces, following the 2024 National and Provincial Election outcome that we characterized as a significant setback. We have already visited the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. 

The NWC met will all structures which included branches, regions as well as the PEC. In a meeting with the PEC, the NWC also received report from the Premier as deployee in government in the Free State.  The Free State, like many provinces, has faced governance challenges that have led to poor service delivery, financial mismanagement, and inefficiencies in local government. These issues have resulted in growing dissatisfaction among residents, making it necessary for the ANC to take decisive action.  

The recent engagements by the National Working Committee (NWC) with ANC structures in the province reaffirm the movement’s commitment to addressing these concerns head-on and rebuilding the trust of communities. The ANC recognizes the serious service delivery challenges facing many communities in the Free State, including infrastructure backlogs, unreliable water and electricity supply, and poor maintenance of roads and public facilities.  

To address these concerns, the ANC is prioritizing concrete interventions to ensure that municipalities function efficiently and deliver basic services effectively. Ultimately, the visit is informed by the fact that the ANC exists to serve the people. 

The establishment of War Rooms on Service Delivery will monitor the implementation of government projects, track service delivery performance, and address delays in project execution. This will ensure that government budgets earmarked for critical infrastructure and essential services are fully utilized and that no funds are surrendered due to inefficiencies. 

The ANC is also reviving the Letsema programme at a regional level to mobilize communities in partnership with local government structures to resolve service delivery concerns and maintain public infrastructure. Letsema is a practical demonstration of active citizenry, where community members, ANC structures, and local government officials work side by side to improve living conditions. 

The District Development Model (DDM) Champions will provide strategic support to municipalities to ensure that projects are implemented on time and within budget. The ANC is committed to ensuring that no municipality is left behind, and all residents, especially those in rural areas, receive quality services. 

Local government intervention will be made on a continuous basis across all municipalities where there is need for such support, to unblock service delivery. This must include ensuring proper financial management in order to achieve clean audit as evidence of proper governmental systems. The ANC’s renewal programme is about building stronger, more accountable ANC structures. A key part of this process is ensuring that ANC branches and regions function as centers of community activism that are responsive to the needs of the people. Political education efforts in the Free State are being intensified to strengthen political consciousness and discipline. 

Before every Branch Biennial General Meeting (BBGM), members must undergo compulsory political education sessions to reaffirm the movement’s principles, ethical leadership, and commitment to serving the people. This will ensure that ANC branches elect leaders who are fit to lead and committed to advancing the interests of their communities. In the local government sphere, the ANC deployees, working with the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and the Regional Executive Committee (REC), will engage ANC caucuses in municipalities to ensure that they meet regularly to proactively resolve governance challenges.

ANC Caucuses will no longer be allowed to convene only to discuss formal council agenda items but must hold standing meetings to track and monitor municipal performance and intervene where necessary. 

A skills audit of all senior municipal managers in the Free State is also being conducted to ensure that qualified and competent individuals occupy key positions in municipalities. The ANC will not tolerate cadre deployment that prioritizes political connections over competence. Only those who can effectively deliver services will be retained or appointed. The Local Government Interventions Task Team will also be deployed to assist struggling municipalities, provide technical support, and intervene where urgent action is needed. This task team will focus on priority municipalities where service delivery failures have had the greatest impact on communities. 

The ANC recognizes that economic transformation is critical to addressing poverty, inequality, and unemployment in the Free State. The province has immense economic potential, particularly in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, but this potential has not been fully harnessed due to poor governance, lack of investment, and inadequate infrastructure. 

The ANC, working with government and the private sector, is prioritizing investment in economic infrastructure, support for small businesses, and skills development to drive job creation and economic growth. Efforts are being made to revitalize the agricultural sector by ensuring that farmers, including emerging black farmers, have access to land, funding, and markets. 

Infrastructure projects are being accelerated to improve roads, water systems, and public facilities that support economic development. Strengthening support for township and rural economies is essential in ensuring that small businesses receive the financial and non-financial support needed to thrive. The ANC is working with private sector investors to unlock opportunities in manufacturing, renewable energy, and tourism. Economic growth is not just about numbers but about real change in the lives of ordinary people. 

The ANC is committed to ensuring that economic policies uplift the poor and working-class. The ANC calls on its members, supporters, and all residents of the Free State to actively participate in the renewal, rebuilding, and service delivery efforts. This is not just an ANC initiative; it is about creating a better Free State for everyone. ANC structures must remain rooted in the communities, and all members are urged to work tirelessly to reconnect with the people. 

The challenges faced by many Free State residents are well understood, and decisive action is being taken to resolve them. The work ahead requires discipline, unity, and a collective commitment to the principles of the ANC. The Free State belongs to all who live in it, and together, we will ensure accelerated service delivery, economic growth, and an inclusive, non-racial society. 

The PEC has been given a clear mandate, which is to unite the organization as platform to deliver on our democratic mandate at all levels of government. The ANC will continue to be seized with programmes to ensure that the ANC has well-oiled machinery at provincial, regional and branch level. It must be an organization that is one with the masses of our people.   

400 000 DRIVERS PERMITS DELAYS @KASIBCNEWS 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng calls on the Gauteng Department of Transport MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela to urgently address a 40 000 backlog of unissued driver permits. This backlog is causing significant disruptions for motorists, forcing them to operate illegally and severely impacting key industries, including the taxi and e-hailing sectors.

This information was revealed by the department during the Roads and Transport Portfolio Committee meeting last week after the DA raised questions regarding the allocation of permits, highlighting complaints from motorists who have been left stranded and unable to drive legally. These frustrations have even led to large-scale protests across the province.

"It is concerning that the department continues to fail motorists by not finding ways to expedite the process of issuing operating permits within the regulated timelines. It is also troubling that the department continues to issue more permits while failing to address the backlog, which is holding thousands of motorists at ransom," said Evert du Plessis MPL, DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Roads and Logistics.

"The DA has long criticised the slow pace with which the department issues permits. This delay is primarily due to two known factors: hold-ups at the provincial and local government levels. Despite this, little to nothing has been done to streamline processes between these two levels of government and eliminate the unnecessary delays," says Du Plessis.

Rather than accepting responsibility for its shortcomings, the department has demonstrated that it is overwhelmed by blaming drivers who are victims in this scenario. The taxi industry alone generates thousands of jobs that support many families. Consequently, undermining such an industry due to administrative incompetence is intolerable.

The DA reiterates its demand for the department to find ways to eradicate the backlog and end the suffering of motorists who want to abide by the law but are not given the opportunity to do so.

A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would ensure that it addresses the permit backlog efficiently while maintaining fair and transparent processes for drivers who have long been left without information about how this process should unfold.

The DA is dedicated to ensuring that Gauteng motorists are not penalised by a department that is struggling to fulfil its primary responsibilities.

Luxury Audi Q5s for SA Navy amid Crisis @KASIBCNEWS

The DA demands answers on the South African Navy's purchase of six luxury Audi Q5 SUVs, each of which retail at over R1 million. This decision underscores the continued disregard for the severe crisis facing the SANDF. While essential vehicles and equipment remain in disrepair or obsolete due to limited funds, top officials continue to prioritise luxury over the basic needs of soldiers on the ground.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit parliamentary questions to ascertain:

-  The justification for purchasing luxury Audi Q5s for top officials in the SA Navy while soldiers face critical resource shortages.
-  Whether this purchase was made in the final weeks of the 2024/2025 budget year to ensure fiscal dumping before the year ends.
-  The rationale behind prioritising luxury vehicles over essential equipment and vehicle repairs needed by the SANDF.

This extravagant spending exemplifies the ongoing culture of privilege - complete with red carpets and golf days - while ordinary soldiers struggle without proper resources. It is yet another indicator of weak leadership that fails to put South Africa and its military personnel first.

The timing of this purchase raises further concerns. Acquired in the final three weeks of the 2024/2025 budget year, with quotes obtained as early as January, it suggests potential fiscal dumping—deliberately exhausting the budget before the financial year ends.

The Democratic Alliance will not allow this matter to go unanswered. We demand full transparency from the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the SANDF. South Africans deserve military leadership that prioritises security and responsible governance over luxury.

HEALTH STANDARD COMPLIANCE AT HELEN JOSEPH HOSPITAL @KASIBCNEWS 

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has noted the joint report released by the Office of the Health Ombud (OHO) and the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) on the findings of the investigation and a risk-based inspection regarding allegations made in relation to Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH). 

The investigation was initiated after a request by the Minister of Health in the wake of allegations made by Mr Thomas Holmes aka Tom London during his admission at the hospital in September 2024. 

The reports provide clear recommendations on various areas such governance, human resource management, finance and supply chain management, and infrastructure and maintenance. 

The GDoH will fast track the process to implement the recommendations as outlined by both the OHO and OHSC. It must be pointed out that the Department has already initiated province-wide interventions that are aimed at addressing the identified issues and beyond. 

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These interventions include the reviewing of the organisational structure which is currently awaiting approval processes, while the infrastructure function within the department has been strengthened with the appointment of a Deputy Director General which has led to the development of a comprehensive maintenance and upgrade programme including procurement of health technology, and the process of filling the CEO post at HJH is prioritised for the new financial year commencing in April 2025, after the only  suitable candidate declined an offer post the interview process.  

The GDoH wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to improving the quality of care across its facilities and will continue to work with multiple stakeholders both within and outside the department to ensure the provision of universal healthcare. 

 

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