ActionSA has raised concerns over omissions of fretting issues at the president’s Opening of Parliament Address at Cape Town City Hall on Thursday.
Anthol Trollip, ActionSA parliamentary leader, said it was concerning that pervasive illegal immigration was not highlighted in the address.
“We further noted the glaring omission in addressing illegal immigration. A pressing issue affecting both social stability and economic resources. The government’s lack of a comprehensive strategy to address this challenge is troubling,” said Trollip.
“Our critique extends to the omission of critical issues like South Africa’s international reputation. The grey listing due to financial mismanagement, and pervasive corruption. These areas are vital to restoring trust and credibility on the global stage to attract investment.”
Renewable energy challenges
He acknowledged the transition to renewable energy. However, he lamented the challenges with independent power producer licensing.
He said the challenges had an impact on attempts to grow the economy. This because they hindered the effective integration of renewable energy into the national grid.
In his address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said energy projects were already in the pipeline. They carried 22,500 MW of new generation capacity, he said.
This representation would attract at least R400-billion in new private investments that would create jobs, he said.
“Improving the freight rail network is crucial. But we must highlight the government’s past neglect that led to its current state of disrepair and vandalism. Reviving such infrastructure without addressing the root causes of its decline seems infeasible.
Water woes
“Similarly, investment in bulk water infrastructure is met with skepticism. This is due to the government’s lack of credibility in delivering large-scale projects. Projects… such as building dams and ensuring efficient water reticulation,” said Trollip.
However, he said it was commendable that the address highlighted some positives. That the Government of National Unity planned to ensure economic growth at the local level.
He said this part of the address related to ActionSA’s policies. But he would like to see how this would be implemented.
“We applaud the government’s nod towards sustainability at the local level. But we believe that clarity should be made available to us. Clarity… on how exactly they plan to support this transition,” said Trollip.
“The emphasis on inclusive economic growth and empowerment is commendable. It aligns closely with our goals at ActionSA,” he added.
