DA oversight visit highlights urgent need to rescue and uplift the most vulnerable South Africans

12 March 2024

Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Siviwe Gwarube MP and photos of today's oversight here, here, here, here and here.

Today, alongside the DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, Bridget Masango, DA KZN Provincial Leader, Francois Rodgers, and DA KZN Premier Candidate, Chris Pappas, I conducted an oversight visit to various areas in eThekwini.

The focus of our oversight was on the crisis of homelessness in the city, a situation exacerbated by governmental failures to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

Despite the establishment of a homeless shelter by the eThekwini Municipality, it was disheartening to witness its derelict condition. People in these areas struggle daily for food and water, worsened by budget cuts affecting NGOs (Non-governmental Organisations) and NPOs (Non-profit Organisations) that provide vital services to these communities. It is evident that the priorities of the ANC government are misplaced, with funds redirected towards unnecessary luxuries such as VIP protection for high-ranking politicians while the basic needs of the poor are neglected.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is committed to rescuing South Africans by empowering individuals to lift themselves out of poverty. A DA government will strive for economic justice by implementing policies to lift six million people out of extreme poverty and into dignity.

Our plan provides concrete steps to safeguard the most vulnerable, including increasing the child support grant, extending support to pregnant mothers, and streamlining disability-specific grants. Additionally, initiatives such as expanding essential food items and utilizing food hubs to combat food insecurity demonstrate our dedication to addressing the root causes of poverty.

Furthermore, we advocate for converting the Social Relief of Distress Grant into a Job Seekers Grant, emphasising the importance of not just providing temporary relief but also creating pathways to sustainable employment.

As we build towards the general elections on the 29th of May 2024, it is imperative that we prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable in our society.

Issued by Siviwe Gwarube, Chief Whip of the Official Opposition, 12 March 2024