SA is in serious trouble and mired in crisis, and needs a new cadre of leadership, Rise Mzansi national leader Songezo Zibi said at the launch of the nine-month-old party in Pretoria on Saturday.
Rise Mzansi will contest the forthcoming elections, and one question voters will have to decide on is whether they will allow the ANC to continue destroying people’s lives, said Zibi.
In his speech, Zibi also dealt with corruption, unemployment and violent crime.
He said SA could not allow thieves to remain in power. The country was at a crossroads and if it did not change course it would become a failed state, he said, adding that 2004 was another 1994 that did not deliver the promised freedom and justice. There is now more inequality, racism, unemployment and crime.
Zibi said Rise Mzansi offered a bold vision to build a society based on the values of freedom, equality, justice, solidarity and integrity.
The party’s “People’s Manifesto” includes five priorities: leadership, governance and implementation; safety and the rule of law; the economy and jobs; individual, family and community wellbeing; and the climate crisis.
It also highlights the party’s position on three policy areas — managing immigration, foreign policy and focusing on people with disabilities.
On the economy, the manifesto stresses the need for private sector investment and a broad social contract between key stakeholders such as trade unions, business organisations and civic groups. Dysfunctional municipalities in major economic zones will be placed under administration and the boards of Transnet and Eskom filled with people with the requisite experience and expertise in turning about large industrial companies in crisis.
SA needs leaders who are ethical and professional to replace the existing unsuitable, incapable and uncaring leaders. The ANC, the manifesto says, has “run out of ideas, goodwill and steam”.
Zibi said his party would end the system of cadre deployment on day one, so people in positions of public responsibility were highly skilled, capable and ethical. It would also reduce the size of the cabinet.
On public procurement, the manifesto says the party “will stop the corrupt abuse of BEE by politically connected individuals and businesses that overcharge taxpayers to pay kickbacks and enrich themselves”.
Corruption will be prosecuted vigorously, and an independent and well-resourced anticorruption agency will be established.
Rise Mzansi is in favour of a constituency-based electoral system alongside a system of proportional representation.
On crime prevention, the manifesto says the police will be professionalised and equipped to improve their ability to deter and investigate crime. The National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit and the courts will be strengthened and adequately resourced.
State-owned entities — of which there are more than 800 — will be shut down or sold off where considered unnecessary.
On individual and family wellbeing, a high priority will be ending hunger and ensuring affordable, nutritious food to poor South Africans and the provision of readily available basic services. The provision of basic healthcare and wellness facilities will be expanded, among other things.
The party aims to reform the system of basic education to achieve better outcomes, and communities will be helped to mitigate climate change.
On immigration, the manifesto says the party will dramatically reduce irregular immigration and ease the entry into SA of skilled workers, frequent travellers and tourists to aid economic development and job creation.
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