Letsema Programme Exposes Legislature’s Neglect of Forgotten Communities

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance will boycott tomorrow’s Letsema Legacy Projects as the initiative has abandoned fairness and inclusivity.

Having received the venues for the outreach late this morning, it became abundantly clear that the people of Parkridge, Parkside, Pefferville, CC Lloyd, and the greater Buffalo Flats Community, including Egoli, 7de Laan, Vergenoeg and Fynbos, as well as Breidbach and Schornville in Qonce, have once again been treated as if they do not exist.

We will not legitimise a process that overlooks an entire sector of the community.

These communities are facing high unemployment, hunger and a breakdown of service delivery. Families live with sewage spills, broken streetlights, gang violence and a lack of economic opportunity.

But when the time comes for public participation and oversight, they are ignored because they do not fit the governing party’s narrative.

Instead of taking part in a political spectacle, the DA will spend the day in the communities that this Legislature has overlooked for years.

The DA will be handing over essential equipment and food to two local beneficiaries, who are working to uplift their communities without government support.

Where the governing party pretends not to see these people, we stand with them.

There was no consultation or engagement with the multi-party whippery of the Legislature regarding tomorrow’s programme. Project lists were sent out at the last minute. This violates both the spirit and the purpose of public participation.

I have written to the Chief Whip of the Legislature, Loyiso Magqashela, to formally lodge our dissatisfaction with both the planning and execution of the programme.

We have requested his office to formally investigate why the Multi-Party Whips Committee was not consulted in determining the projects to be visited, as well as to ensure that the Multi-Party Whips Committee be consulted in the future. All communities must be included as part of the legislature’s outreach programmes.

The people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that listens to every community, not only those that suit a political agenda. The DA will continue to fight for fairness, dignity and opportunity for all who call this province home.

Regards

Yusuf Cassim MPL
DA Chief Whip in the Eastern Cape Legislature