The ANC is the past, the DA, the future

This speech was delivered by DA's National Spokesperson, Phumzille van Damme MP today, during the Heritage Day Debate in Parliament.

Honourable Speaker,

A sense of heritage is a feeling in the soul of every human being.

It is sense of belonging with a group of people.

A sense of identity, dignity and pride.

Apartheid robbed many South Africans of their heritage and created a populace that felt alienated.

A populace that felt like it did not belong in the country it lived in.

I too, like many South Africans, have recently had the misfortune of being made to feel alien in the country I call home.

Honourable Speaker,

I am a grandchild of Ethan Mayisela of Alexandra.

A grandchild of Phumzile Khumalo of Dannahauser.

A granddaughter of Vuyiswa Msomi of Umlazi.

A granddaughter of Ephraim Masuku of Swaziland.

Through my veins courses the blood of the Swatis of Swaziland, the Zulus of Kwazulu-Natal and the Xhosas of the Western Cape.

I am a child of this country, this continent, and the international community.

I owe my life to Swaziland, South Africa and Belgium, the country my stepfather comes from.

Like all human beings, no one can ever take my heritage away from me. It is ingrained in my very depths of my soul.

Honourable Speaker,

As a South African, an African, and a citizen of this world, I am disappointed by how our government has appeared to stand by idly while human rights abuses rage all over our continent.

I would love to see our government taking more of lead role in condemning human rights abuses in Africa, our continent.

Last month, Parliament rightfully discussed the plight of the Cuban 5.

But what about the unlawful arrest in Swaziland of human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko and editor, Bheki Makhubu?

Last month, we also rightfully discussed human rights abuses in the Palestinian and Israeli conflict.

But what about the abuses that have happened in the South Sudan, Somalia and Niger?

What is our government doing to make sure that the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram are returned to their families?

We should not be afraid of condemning fellow African leaders if they treat their people unjustly.

We owe it to the people of Swaziland, and those living in other African countries to stand up for their rights.

After all, it was the people of African countries, like Swaziland, that allowed many Apartheid activists, including those sitting in ANC benches today to live and prosper in their countries.

Why does the ANC government neglect Africa now that South Africa's freedom has been won?

It is unfortunately not only those in African countries that the ANC government has neglected.

There are many living in post-Apartheid South Africa today who still feel the same sense of alienation they experienced under Apartheid.

To these people, I imagine, it is as if their heritage does not matter to the government.

I am talking of people like Gogo Johanna Mokobane, who tragically lost her life last month after falling into a well while trying to find drinking water. Her village had been experiencing serious water shortages since before 1994.

Did Gogo Mokobane feel like she belonged to the South Africa? That her heritage mattered and was respected? I doubt it.

I am also talking about the residents of Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth where the use of bucket toilets has increased by a staggering 8000.

In provinces such as the Western Cape, bucket toilets have decreased.

And in others such as the Eastern Cape, North West and Kwazulu-Natal, bucket toilets have increased.

Do the people in the provinces where no real efforts are being made to decrease bucket toilets feel like the ANC government cares about them? I doubt it.

I am also speaking about black youth between the ages of 25 and 34, like myself. The quality of education provided post-1994 has been so poor, that skilled employment in this category has regressed.

Hang your heads in shame for failing our youth, ANC. Our young people deserve better.

Honourable Speaker,

All hope is not lost.

It is possible to restore our people's dignity and cultural pride.

The best way to do this is to deliver services and create jobs in order to meet the imbalances created by Apartheid.

The ANC, granted, has done a lot to ensure this, but it can do better.

According to StatsSA's recent Non-financial census of municipalities, the Western Cape has the highest proportion of residents benefiting from free basic services such as water, electricity, sanitation, and solid waste management.

In each of these categories, the Western Cape is far, far ahead of ANC-run provinces.

The fact of the matter is, Honourable Speaker, while the DA is not perfect, we work the hardest for vulnerable South Africans.

This is why I have chosen the DA has my political home.

It a home where all are welcome regardless of race, social class or heritage.

The DA has become a part of my heritage.

Those who use the language of our former oppressors to call black DA voters like myself - House Negroes, Hired Natives, puppets, do not deter me. Haters gon' hate.

The struggle against Apartheid was a struggle for political choice.

A struggle for all South Africans to not only vote, but vote for their for the political party of their choice.

Like many young South Africa, I choose to vote DA.

I understand that the ANC is scared because young black voters are leaving the ANC, and doing so in droves.

The tide is turning.

The ANC is becoming the party of choice of the past.

The DA is the future.

To conclude, Honourable Speaker,

South Africa is a beautiful country.

We are a beautiful rich tapestry of a diversity of people.

I am proud to be a citizen of this country.

All I want, and I am sure everyone who lives in this country wants, is for us to reach our full potential.

Let us stop accepting the mediocre.

Let us be the best we can be.

I thank you.

Issued by the DA, September 18 2014

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