Mines, land on Holomisa’s agenda

FREE education for all, salary increases for domestic workers, the taking back of land and ending of all HIV infections. These are some of the promises made by political parties as they criss-cross the country for the next two months trying to lure your votes. Reporters THULANI GQIRANA and MKHULULI NDAMASE look at how the ANC, DA, UDM and EFF – which have already launched their manifestos – plan to deliver on health, land, economic development, education and jobs.

HEALTH :

Make healthcare infrastructure and services accessible to the poor. The UDM does not detail how to do this;

Improve public health facilities;

Properly stock public hospitals and clinics; and

Ensure the government sticks to a strict budget on spending.

EDUCATION :

Free education until Grade 12;

To depoliticise the management and administration of schools by unions;

Review the entrance requirement as well as the curriculum for teacher training ;

Design the curriculum in such a way that it adapts to changing needs of society; and

Include self-employment as a viable alternative within career guidance structures.

JOBS :

Intervene in the economy to create jobs, but it does not say how;

Review the public sector wage bill;

Introduce incentives and support programmes for small businesses started by youth;

Employ semi-skilled youth to remove alien flora species and combat soil erosion; and

Arrange youth mentorship and exchange programmes with other countries.

LAND :

The party says it will review the ownership of land and mines. It promises to:

Accelerate the distribution of land, in line with its land policy to encourage people to return to, or remain in, rural areas and start productive enterprises there;

Streamline the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to speed up the processes and restore land to its rightful owners, as it believes delays cause uncertainty and tension; and

Pay attention to rural revitalisation and assist emerging as well as subsistence farmers by giving them access to resources including capital, land, infrastructure and training .

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT :

Use a manageable budget deficit and government debt to create jobs and stimulate the economy;

Implement the necessary checks and balances to ensure that taxpayers’ money is not wasted;

Review the public sector wage bill;

Invest in the economy through a properly planned infrastructure development programme and other large-scale, government-funded programmes that are community driven and apply good environmental practices;

Provide tax incentives for businesses that create jobs, especially labour intensive ones;

Review South Africa’s international trade tariffs and duties to protect developing local industries, encourage exports, increase international trade and support inbound tourism; and

Create Export Processing Zones (EPZ) or Industrial Development Zones (IDZ) on a trial basis in some of the coastal provinces or in identified industrial areas.