Party leader Patrick Pillay says they ’unashamedly’ stand for the marginalized and downtrodden
DURBAN - Three hundred and twenty five political parties will participate in the local government elections in South Africa on November 1, among them the Democratic Liberal Congress (DLC).
DLC leader councillor Patrick Pillay said that the party’s manifesto launch in Phoenix, north of Durban, was a great success and it was all geared to win a number of seats at the polls.
In his keynote address, Pillay said that as the party celebrated its fifth anniversary, it was growing in leaps and bounds.
“United we stand to reach great heights in the council,” Pillay said.
He said the DLC unashamedly declared that it was a party for the marginalized and downtrodden, while ensuring that the economy, service delivery and infrastructure are improved and systematically upgraded for the enhancement of the people.
"Our economy and our lives were badly affected and compromised because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent unrest which resulted in people losing their lives and livelihoods. Racism and discrimination have become the order of the day.”
“Opportunists and politicians alike are using the loss of lives and the Phoenix unrest as a political tool to garner votes. This is unacceptable and must never be tolerated,” Pillay told his supporters.
He noted that corruption, unemployment and lack of service delivery had led to many protests, and the destruction of critical infrastructure.
“Our poor economy, coupled with Covid and the unrest have led to major job losses. Socio-economic development policies are non-functional and our municipality needs to go back to the drawing board and be inclusive of the unemployed and downtrodden.”
“The informal sector contributes to the economy and local government needs to acknowledge that. Red tape has crippled small businesses and people's livelihoods,” Pillay said.
He listed the DLC’s priorities as listed in its manifesto, as: service delivery (street lighting, water leakages, potholes, grass cutting); basic services (electricity, water, sanitation); title deeds/property ownership; police patrols/visibility; job creation (small businesses); and housing.
“The more seats the DLC has in Council our community will be beneficiaries to better service delivery,” Pillay said.
The DLC denounced the high rates, water and electricity tariffs, corruption and jobs for pals. The party called for the employment of people to be based on merit in order to enhance the efficiency of the administration.
Pillay said it was a shame that the city did not have basic materials readily available to repair burst water mains that had seen the water loss increase to 54%.
“Our suburbs have become unkempt and neglected for the past five years he said, urging communities: ”not to be taken for granted and believe the lies of others anymore and support the DLC for better service delivery.”
He called on the people to unite in stopping corruption, racism and discrimination to restore transparency, accountability and efficient service delivery in governance to all people.
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