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Government's 50 broken promises

I did a Google search on the internet that says "promises broken by government site:co.za". I then stumbled on an interesting posting from 7 Feb 2011, called "Zuma's 50 broken promises".

Note, this info was assembled in Feb 2011. It is now Oct 2016. It is a very long article, but I just want to indicate what promises were made by government, in this article. The article discusses the reality as to what actually happened after the promise. I remove this to make article not to long. Note, obviously I do not know if all the statements are accurate. I only post them as I found them in this article. If all are true it is indeed eye opening.

The sad thing as always is that the government also does a lot of things right, but few are interested in what is done right. You know how it is, we live in a negative world, things that are right, are invisibile, simply because they are right, they are not seen, not appreciated. If something is not right, it is very visible.

I will do a follow up posting, trying to find things government did right, just to balance the scales. I do sympathize with government, for the simple reason of many complex issues they have to govern. Even the most competent government in the world would have their work cut out to solve all these problems. A weak government is really really in trouble, as is the case currently.

But just making promises and not doing them, is definately not a good way to go and think the people are going to stand by you. I wish our government well, and we do want them to do well, and succeed, so that we can all prosper, instead of only an elite few.

So, here are those 50 broken promises. I have to chuckle at some of them, wondering when those words were spoken if the person that spoke them truly believed what he or she was saying. Maybe they were laughing as well at that time, in their mind.

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1. Youth wage subsidy
Promise: "Proposals will be tabled to subsidise the cost of hiring younger workers, to encourage firms to take on inexperienced staff." (State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010)

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2. Job creation
Promise: "Between now and December 2009, we plan to create about 500 000 job opportunities." (State of the Nation, 2009)

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3. Job creation
Promise: "Now is the time to lay the groundwork for stronger growth going forward, and for growth that gives rise to more jobs." (State of the Nation, February 2010)

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4. Job creation
Promise: "The ANC is therefore committed to addressing the problem of unemployment through practical measures in this year. Therefore, 2011 will be the year of job creation through meaningful economic transformation." (Address delivered at the ANC's 99th birthday celebrations, January 2010)

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5. Teachers in the classroom
Promise: "We reiterate our non-negotiables. Teachers should be in school, in class, on time, teaching, with no neglect of duty and no abuse of pupils!." (State of the Nation Address, 3 Jun 2009)

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6. Provision of workbooks
Promise: "Targets have been set for the improvements in results at various grades over time. In order to achieve this, we will be providing all schools with appropriate learner and teacher support materials such as lesson plans, workbooks and textbooks, to ensure proper coverage of the curriculum". (Statement on the July 2010 Cabinet Lekgotla, 22 July 2010)

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7. and 8. Mud Schools and Classrooms without Desks
Promise: "We will ensure that learners and teachers are in class and that learning is taking place and that schools have the facilities they need, and learners the materials they require" (Final Election Speech, Sunday 19 April 2009)

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9. Quality of maths and science schooling
Promise: "The ANC government will...[i]mprove the quality of schooling, particularly performance in mathematics, science, technology and language development." (ANC 2009 Election Manifesto)

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10. School feeding schemes
Promise: "We also must pay continuous attention to improving safety in our schools, to improved transport and to adequate school nutrition schemes. Earlier this week, the Minister of Finance announced that funding for the primary school nutrition programme will be increased, to reach 8,6 million children in the year 2012/13. This is particularly important for children from poor families, and is essential to aid concentration and attendance." (National Teaching Awards Gala Dinner, October 2009)

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11. Meeting women's healthcare needs
Promise: "We will work tirelessly to create a health system that promotes women's health as a fundamental human right." (Statement of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress on the occasion of the 99th Anniversary of the ANC, 8 January 2011)

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12. Quality of healthcare
Promise: "In practical terms, the ANC government will... [i]mprove quality standards for both public and private sectors, which will include specific targets for the provision of adequate numbers of workers at all levels of the health care system, including recruitment, training and filling of vacant posts..." (ANC 2009 Election Manifesto)

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13. Presidential hotline
Promise: "As you are aware, we introduced the Presidential Hotline to make government and The Presidency more accessible to the public, and to help unblock service-delivery blockages.." (State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010)

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14. Presidential hotline
Promise: The hotline represents our determination to do things differently in government. It has made a difference in the lives of many South Africans.." (State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010)

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15. Review of State Owned Enterprises
Promise: "There have been problems with the SOEs all the time, particularly at SAA and Eskom. I have taken a decision which is going to solve SOE problems forever: I have ordered a review of all of them with a final decision on what to do. It is being done by outside people who have no interest." (Interview with Sunday Times, February 2010)

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16. Promoting Accountability
Promise: "We are committed to a service delivery culture that will put every elected official and public servant to work for our people, and ensure accountability to our people." (ANC 2009 Election Manifesto)

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17. Role of parliament
Promise: "As the national executive, we welcome increased oversight to assist us in achieving our target of effective and efficient government. We will work harder and smarter and the South African people will be the beneficiaries of this constructive robust role of Parliament." (Address in response to the Debate on the State of The Nation Address, 9 Jun 2009)

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18. The Ministry of women, children and people with disabilities
Promise: "The establishment of a Ministry and corresponding department that will focus solely on issues affecting women, children and persons with disabilities means that this will be the last time this function reports to the National Assembly as part of the Budget Vote of The Presidency. We are confident that this change will result in better - and not less - focus on these vulnerable groups. As the Presidency, we will continue to lend this Ministry all the support. We will do so because we know that, a society in which women, children and persons with disabilities remain marginalised, cannot claim to be truly free. Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya will outline the plans of the new Ministry." (Address on the occasion of the Budget Vote of The Presidency, 24 Jun 2009)

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19. Ministerial accountability
Promise: "People who do not work will be fired, because when they are not performing well, it is the name of the ANC that is damaged. We want people to work. We don't want people who think they are more important than others." (Address delivered at Human Rights Rally, March 2009)

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20. The Constitution
Promise: "We have worked hard to defend and protect the Constitution from Opposition parties and many others who, even as we speak, want to tamper with it in various ways. We will always uphold, defend, promote and protect the Constitution of our country and all our democratic institutions." (Final Election Speech, 19 April 2009)

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21. Prudent use of state funds
Promise: "Since the implementation of our programme will take place in the face of the economic downturn, we will have to act prudently - no wastage, no rollovers of funds - every cent must be spent wisely and fruitfully. We must cut our cloth according to our size." (State of the Nation, 3 June 2009)

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22. Eskom funding
Promise: "Cabinet noted and supported a hybrid funding solution to enable Eskom to continue with its Build programme to ensure the security of supply of energy. The hybrid solution consists of increasing the guarantee framework from R176 billion to R350 billion to enable the utility to continue with its committed Build Programme up to Kusile Power Station and an equity injection of R20 billion over three years starting in the 2011/12 financial year. The equity injection will be funded from liquidating state holdings in non-strategic and non-core assets. National Treasury will identify such assets in due course and in consultation with the Department of Public Enterprises and other relevant departments." (Cabinet statement, 11 Nov 2010)

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23. Ministerial accountability
Promise: In July 2009, Cabinet established a Ministerial Task Team to address problems such as, "addressing public concerns that Government is ‘living large' while citizens are feeling the pain caused by the economic downturn; changing the culture towards greater prudence and less extravagance; achieving greater value for money and delivering more and better services with less resources.". An important part of this process was reviewing the Ministerial Handbook, which sets out guidelines for expenditure by members of the executive. (Cabinet statement, 13 August 2009)

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24. Appointment criteria
Promise: "In answering some of the specific questions raised by the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, executives at state owned enterprises are appointed on merit." (Response to an oral parliamentary question, March 2010)

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25. Appointments to the NPA
Promise: "I would like to assure Honourable Smuts and the House that when the President exercises his powers when it comes to the appointment of judicial officers, in terms of the Constitution, he will act in the best interests of the country." (Address in response to the Debate on the State of The Nation Address, 9 Jun 2009)

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26. Media freedom
Promise: "We will continue to protect, defend and promote media freedom as we have always done." (Final Election Speech, 19 April 2009)

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27. Defining the status of the San community
Quote: "We are also finalising the status of the Khoi-San communities. Cabinet has approved the policy framework. A bill is being drafted and may be presented to parliament later in the year." (Address delivered at the official opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders, 23 February 2010)

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28. Post-settlement support for land claimants
Promise: "Working together, we will speed up the land reform process. We will ensure that those who receive land have the financial and technical support to work the land." (Final Election Speech, 19 April 2009)

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29. Promulgation of the Land Use Management Bill
Promise: "It is about transforming our cities and towns and building cohesive, sustainable and caring communities with closer access to work and social amenities, including sports and recreation facilities. In this spirit, we will work with Parliament to speed up the processing of the Land Use Management Bill" (State of the Nation Address, 3 June 2009)

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30. Land redistribution
Promise: "Our target is to redistribute 30% of agricultural land before 2014, accompanied by support programmes for the poor, farm workers and small farmers." (Addressing meeting in Durban, September 2010)

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31. Reducing the cost of communication
Promise: "As part of our efforts to encourage greater economic growth, we are working to reduce the cost to communicate. The South African public can look forward to an even further reduction of broadband, cell phone, landline and public phone rates. We will work to increase broadband speed and ensure a high standard of internet service, in line with international norms." (State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010)

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32. The Independence of the SABC
Promise: "We must emphasise that the public broadcaster is not, and should not be, the mouthpiece of government. It should serve the public interest by providing accurate, credible and comprehensive coverage of events in South Africa and abroad." (Nat Nakasa Awards Dinner, 27 June 2009)

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33. Tackling poverty and hunger
Promise: "The ANC is committed to creating an environment that ensures that there is adequate food available to all, that we grow our own food and protect the poor communities from the rising prices of food and eradicate hunger." (ANC Election Manifesto, 2009)"We have to ensure that we grow the economy to meet the needs of our people squarely. Lasting victory over poverty and hunger requires the creation of decent work opportunities and sustainable livelihoods." (ANC Election Manifesto, 2009)

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34. Economic position of women
Promise: "We also need to integrate gender equity measures into the Government's Programme of Action. This action will ensure that women, children and persons with disabilities can access developmental opportunities." (State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010)

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35. Position of the youth:
Promise: During the NYDA's official launch in 2009, President Zuma talked to the agency's mandate, stating that, "We expect the Agency to initiate programmes directed at poverty alleviation, urban and rural development and the combating of crime, substance abuse and social decay amongst youth. This means that the Agency will work with various government departments that work in these areas, to improve the quality of life of our young people."

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36. Improving government performance
Promise: "When this administration came into office last year, we undertook to work harder to build a strong developmental state. We said it would be a state that responds to the needs and aspirations of the people, and which performs better and faster. This year, 2010, shall be a year of action. The defining feature of this administration will be that it knows where people live, understands their needs and responds faster. Government must work faster, harder and smarter. We will expect the Executive and the Public Service to comply with this vision. We are building a performance-oriented state, by improving planning as well as performance monitoring and evaluation." (State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010)

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37. Sanitation
Promise: "The challenges we still need to address include an inability by some municipalities to roll out infrastructure, and to operate, maintain and rehabilitate water and sanitation infrastructure."(Address at the official sod-turning ceremony of the Nsezi Water Treatment Plant, November 2009)

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38. Improving South Africa's roads
romise: "On transport, we will maintain and expand our road network." (State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010)

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39. Housing
Promise: "As part of social infrastructure development we will provide suitably located and affordable housing and decent human settlements. We will proceed from the understanding that human settlement is not just about building houses." (ANC 2009 Election Manifesto)

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40. Promise to Struisbaai community
Promise: During his visit to Struisbaai in July 2010, President Zuma promised fisherman Sias Mathinus's family two wheelchairs, a car and assistance with house renovations. He also announced that he had "adopted" the local primary school and committed to helping the school with its sports facilities.

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41. Promise to the people of Muyexe village
Promise: During a visit to Muyexe village in Limpopo just prior to his June 2009 State of the Nation address, President Zuma promised residents that he would ensure that government supplied basic services and resources to the area, including shelter, clean drinking water for each household, improved health conditions and access to electricity.

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42. Establishment of independent system operator
Promise: "We will establish an independent system operator, separate from Eskom Holdings." (State of the Nation, 11 February 2010)

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43. Independent Power Producers
Promise: "To ensure reliable power supply, we have established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Energy, to develop a 20-year integrated resource plan. Among other things, this will look at the participation of independent power producers, and protecting the poor from rising electricity prices." (State of the Nation, 11 February 2010)

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44. Promoting democracy, peace and stability in Africa
Promise: "We remain fully committed to the African agenda, including the strengthening of the African Union and the promotion of democracy, peace and stability in Africa. The ANC has strong party-to-party relations with former liberation movements in the SADC region and other parts of the continent. We will continue to enhance these relations in order to contribute towards deepening progressive political thought in the continent and globally. " (Statement of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress on the occasion of the 99th Anniversary of the ANC, January 2011)

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45. Defending democracy
Promise: "The ANC government will... [s]pare no energy in our efforts to find urgent, democratic and lasting solutions to the situation in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Western Sahara, Somalia and other countries." (ANC 2009 Election Manifesto)

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46. Commitment to tackling corruption
Promise: "We have repeatedly stated our commitment to fight corruption in the public service. Working together with all South Africans, we will intensify the fight against crime and corruption. We will build cohesive, caring and sustainable communities." (State of the Nation Address, 3 June 2009)

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47. Anti-corruption efforts
Promise: In a letter written by the President in August 2010, he also concluded that:"All right thinking and properly informed people know that it is the ANC democratic government that has made it fashionable to fight corruption, and even to talk about fighting corruption. We have a big arsenal of instruments to fight corruption within the State, and these are performing their functions very effectively and the positive results of these are there for all who are willing to see them to see." (ANC Today, Vol. 10 No. 30, 13-19 August 2010)

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48. Tackling Corruption
Promise: "Fighting crime and fighting the causes of crime will be a priority of the ANC government in the next five years and there is a need to overhaul the criminal justice system to ensure that the levels of crime are drastically reduced. Corruption must be stamped out." (ANC 2009 Election Manifesto)

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49. Tender procedures
Promise: "We continue our efforts to eradicate corruption and fraud in procurement and tender processes, and in applications for drivers' licences, social grants and identity documents, among others." (State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010)

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50. Tackling Corruption
Promise:Interviewer: "You signed off the special investigation unit looking into leases, looking into tenders. Is this clampdown on corruption a major priority for you right now?"Jacob Zuma: "A year after the administration cabinet came into office, I am satisfied that we are tackling it, as we said we would." (Interview with the Sunday Times, September 2010)

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