From the SA Press Association:
The African National Congress can be defeated, Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele said on Thursday.
“If you do not give them your votes and vote for Agang we can have a new government,” she said in Temba near Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, during her election campaign.
“It is in your hands. If you need a new government do not vote for the ANC. The ANC can be voted out,” she said to applause.
About 100 party supporters in green T-shirts gathered inside a white tent at the Odirile Children’s Centre to listen to her. The centre caters for 65 children with disabilities.
Ramphele said it was criminal that the centre received no support from the social development department.
“There is no money for this centre, but there is money to buy votes.”
She said people were living in fear of the ANC-led government.
“People need a government that respects and serves them. We must put a stop to this corruption, vote the criminals out.”
Only in South Africa could a president get into office while facing corruption charges, she continued.
In its manifesto Agang SA promises to introduce a minimum sentence of 15 years for any public official found guilty of corruption, regardless of the amount of money involved, and a life ban from working in the public service.
Under Agang SA, government officials and their families would be banned from conducting business with the state, post employment restrictions would be imposed on ministers and senior government officials.
An Agang SA-led government would build the economy, and mines would use machines to be more productive.
“Agang will support people to start businesses and create jobs. There are no longer jobs in the mines and farms.”
The party promised to change the tax system to better support entrepreneurship and revise the Labour Relations Act to create provision for secret strike ballots.
Ramphele said education was a platform for economic freedom.
“You do not have to fight for economic freedom, you must build a platform for it.
“Our youth must be inspired through leadership, to remain in school, and to steer clear from any course that would take them away from learning.”
Agang SA is one of the 29 political parties contesting the general election on May 7. – SAPA
