Home News WATCH: Only DA can put sparkle back in Diamond City, says Steenhuisen

WATCH: Only DA can put sparkle back in Diamond City, says Steenhuisen

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DA leader John Steenhuisen claimed that Sol Plaatje Municipality would be the best run municipality in the Northern Cape if it was handed over to the DA for the next five years.

DA leader John Steenhuisen at a party rally at the Roodepan flats in Kimberley. Picture Danie van der Lith

DA LEADER John Steenhuisen claimed that Sol Plaatje Municipality would be the best run municipality in the Northern Cape if it was handed over to the DA for the next five years.

He was addressing a political rally at the Roodepan flats in Kimberley on Tuesday during his visit to the Northern Cape, ahead of voters heading to the polls on November 1.

Steenhuisen attributed his jiving skills to him having “two left feet” and indicated that DA provincial leader Harold McGluwa would offer him some dance lessons after the elections.

He discouraged residents from voting for the ruling party.

“The ANC is like rotten wine, don’t give them your vote. They only give jobs to their friends and family,” said Steenhuisen.

“They are like parasites, sucking the blood out of job opportunities, they are drying up all the money. Ramaphosa makes empty promises that are not kept. In 2017 he said there would be no more load shedding by 2019. The ANC cuts your power and on November 1 it is time to cut their power.

“I see a hole in every street in Kimberley, it is dirty, neglected, there are no services, the streets are strewn with rubbish. Sol Plaatje Municipality has been sliding backwards for many years.

“Only the DA can put the sparkle back into your Diamond City.

“Look at the Roodepan flats, they are in a terrible condition. The kitchens are falling apart and the ceilings are falling in. Where is Sol Plaatje Municipality? We will fix the flats, we will pick up the rubbish and clean up the sewage running down the streets. When a council gets things done, it attracts investors and tourists.

“Kimberley has a fascinating history and wonderful people. Yet, it is not welcoming to investors or tourists. We will bring tourists to visit the city.”

Steenhuisen stated that abstaining from voting or voting for an independent candidate would only count in the favour of the ANC.

“The smaller parties will sweep the verandah of the ANC. Only the DA has a proven track record of service delivery, of job-enabling policies and of corruption-free government.

“The EFF is the only party to the left of the ANC. So when you vote for a small party or an independent, you split the DA vote, not the EFF’s. This strengthens the ANC and EFF relative to the DA. And the stronger the EFF, the more radical and racial the ANC becomes.”

He said that 60 percent of water leaks were attributed to aged and broken infrastructure at Sol Plaatje Municipality.

“As water losses grow, so the cost of water climbs. When there is no water, the municipality goes bankrupt because they cannot charge for what they cannot deliver. As taps dry up, income dries up. Sol Plaatje Municipality already owes R320 million to Eskom and R80 million to the water boards.

“Once ratepayers and businesses start moving away, unemployment increases and council will have less income to cross-subsidise poorer households and there is less money for maintenance.

“Don’t for a minute think that the DA only delivers to wealthy households.

“Stats SA’s census of municipalities released in March 2021 reported that the Western Cape delivers free basic water services to 44 percent of households, double the national average of 22 percent and the Northern Cape’s average of 20 percent.”

DA leader John Steenhuisen poses for a selfie with a supporter at a rally at the Roodepan flats. Pictures: Danie van der Lith

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