Statement by Jan de Villiers MP – DA National Spokesperson:
Today, on Human Rights Day, South Africa reflects on the promise of basic human rights for all, including dignity, freedom, and equality – but also an undeniable essential of human life: the right to drinking water.
Human rights are not abstract ideals. They are the difference between life and death. The right to clean water, is one such right and it is being denied to millions by failing ANC local governments.
But the right to water is among other rights that matter too. The right to a safe environment should mean communities can live without fear, in a state of dignity. Universal suffrage should ensure that every South African has an equal voice in shaping our future.
At the heart of these rights is the power of people to choose a local government that puts their needs first. A government that protects their freedoms, delivers basic services, and upholds the rule of law, and the Constitution.
Yet, too many South Africans are still denied these basic rights. Across our country, failing local governance continues to undermine access to water, to basic safety, and erodes trust in democratic institutions.
Globally, we are also reminded that human rights can never be taken for granted. Ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions continue to expose millions to hardship, displacement, and abuse.
On this day, the Democratic Alliance reaffirms our commitment to building a South Africa where rights are not only protected in law, but realised in practice. We have already proven this where the DA governs, and we are ready to not only uphold rights but to actually realise the rights to services like water, to all South Africans where we are given the mandate to govern.
South Africans have a responsibility to ensure they are correctly registered to vote, to use their power to vote for a local government that works for all its people. Every individual can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity if they have a government that realises their rights to dignity, safety and opportunity.
This Human Rights Day let us all agree that water is a human right and it is time to end the ANC violation of human rights at local government level.
Thumb Candy
The cab driver feels compelled to flesh the story out, as its just the husband he\’s talking to.
\”yeah I remember that last shore leave in Johannesburg, me and the lads gagging for some action, end up in a dive bar and met this girl, we got a room and she was the the worst fuck I\’ve ever had!\”
The wife says \”what did he say?\”.
Husband \”the cab driver he says he might know you!\”
Old Orange Eyes
Van der Merwe was watching a rugby test against the British Lions at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria. In the packed stadium, there was only one empty seat – next to Van der Merwe.
\”Who does that seat belong to?\” asked his neighbour.
\”It\’s for my wife.\”
\”But why isn\’t she here?\”
\”She died.\”
\”So why didn\’t you give the ticket to one of your friends?\”
\”They\’ve all gone to the funeral.\”