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Starting a political party for the people

I have been multi tasking, much like Eric de Castro except I was doing a few more things, My foot was up, My phone in hand, laptop on the desk and I was staring out of the door considering the world and it's woes. Mostly I got to thinking about Government, the elected and the faux intelligence that we have governing the country.

I got to thinking we need a new political party, one with no ties to the past. One with neither struggle credentials or apartheid antecedents. We need a party for the people, a truly multi racial party with the needs of the electorate in mind. So I sit here and ponder what do we need, first things first a manifesto. The manifesto should be agreed to by anybody wanting to join the party. In order for such manifesto to be comprehensive we need to ensure that all bases are covered.

Let's start with the election promises that are required. First we are going to reduce government spending on anything that is not essential. Perks for government officials and the elected will be reduced.

Nobody needs more than a Toyota Corolla with a 1600cc engine or equivalent. A car is to get you to meetings on time, not to show everyone how important you are, If they still made 1400 bakkies, that would be the vehicle of choice. No luxury vehicles would be purchased by the government for any government employee or elected official. If you want an X5 buy it with your salary.

VIP convoys will be a thing of the past. Even the President will follow road rules. If someone wants VIP protection, they will need to prove it is essential.

Government funerals will be limited to the cost of a pine box, a flag and the necessary pomp and ceremony. Pomp and ceremony will consist of a military salute, tea and cookies. If you would not spend it on your own funeral, it's not going to get spent. Mourners to pay their own transport costs.

Next we will fix education. Two streams of education will be set up after Grade 9, By the end of Grade 9 all students will be separated into groups, Those with technical aptitude will learn technical skills, Those with number skills will learn clerical and sales skills. Skills like customer service etc should be imparted. No student will leave school without at least one marketable skill. Those with the potential for varsity / college will be moved into schools focussed on preparing them for higher education.

All children will be required to attend school until they have reached either the age of majority or achieved a matric. Matric will teach usable skills so that underachievers can leave school and start working with skill sets that are required by the business world.

Only the best of the best will go to university, University education will be paid for on a grant system, however every enrollee will agree to spend two years working for the public good. College education will be on the same system. Teacher training colleges will be reopened and teachers will be well remunerated. Teaching will be placed on a pedestal.

We will fix the justice system and make corruption a “federal” crime with minimum sentences of 20 years at hard labour. No parole. All prisoners will be put to work to earn their keep. Taxation will not be used to support prisons. If the prisoners and the warders cannot make it self sustaining they will go to bed hungry.

We promise to ensure you have the right to practice your own religion, We will ensure freedom of religion and freedom from religion if you so choose.

The social grant system will be overhauled and grants will be allowed for specific groups. The only grants that will be given will be

  1. Child grants, however the system will offer a full grant to two children in each family. Every family in the country can claim this grant which will be enough to feed and clothe the children. The concept of this grant is to prevent misery. Grants will not be paid in cash but in vouchers that can be spent on food and clothing. A reduced grant will be available for existing families with more than two children but will be phased out for larger families starting with third children born within 12 months of the start of the grants.

  2. Education Grants, Every child will receive a grant for primary education. This grant will be made until the child has passed a basic level of schooling ie Grade 9. The grant will cover tuition, materials and schooling essentials. At grade 9 level students will be given grants for either a technical or a business education if they are not likely to achieve a college or university level education. Those that are capable of higher education will be given grants to attend schools to prepare them for college or university. Those that pass matric and are deemed likely to succeed in higher education will be given grants for further study. Every university and college leader will be required to do two years of community service in exchange for their education.

  3. Job seeker grants will be paid to people actively seeking work or attending a traning facility to upskill themselves. Job seeker grants will not be paid to people not seeking work.

  4. Youth wage grants will be paid to young people for working in a position to gain skills. Call this an apprenticeship scheme that will allow businesses to employ young people to train up for their industries. Minimum contracts after training will be instituted. The employee will remain at the company that trained them for a minimum period and testing at trade centres will be instituted to prevent misuse of youth.

  5. Disability grants will be available for those that are unable to perform any job at all. If a disability prevents a person from physical labour that can make use of the jobseekers grant to skill themselves in a non physical career.

  6. Pension grants will be paid to people that are older than 65. This will be based on their inputs to the pension fund. A National pension fund will be created and every working individual will contribute. Every South African will be eligible based on their inputs. No withdrawals will be allowed from this fund for any reason before reaching pensionable age.


Business will be supported with business friendly legislation, Small businesses starting up will be given tax breaks to ensure their growth. Every employee that a business employs will reduce the tax burden on that business. Companies will pay taxes based on profits.

Every employee will pay a fixed rate of tax on their income along with a social/pension fund. All hidden taxes will be replace by a usage tax like VAT. This will simplify taxes, collection and policing.

Vehicles will be taxed at the petrol pump, license fees will be included in fuel prices. Third party insurance will be compulsory for any vehicle on the road. All vehicle taxes will be ringfenced for infrastructure.

The size of government will be reduced by limiting the scope of government involvement in the daily lives of citizens. Governments job will be to ensure peace within the country and our borders. Police and Military and managing infrastructure. Managing medical and social grants.

Schools will be privatised and managed by Parent, Teacher associations. School fees will be fixed to grant levels. Voluntary contribution will be allowed.

Medical facilities will be managed by means of a National Health Service ensuring the health care is available to all. Private facilities will be allowed but will supply healthcare at NHS rates as well as private rates. Every health facility will be subject to NHS legislation. Government facilities will also treat private patients.

Everything else will be privatised. If someone wants to develop a power station and supply the national grid, they will be able to. If someone wants to start up a telco supplying services to a specific neighbourhood, they will be able to.

The South African constitution will remain fixed and the guidelines for the treatment of the citizens.

The words in service too will be the most important words in any Government employees lexicon.

Who wants to join the party and help get it started.




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