{"id":187611,"date":"2018-09-30T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-30T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/187611\/fishers-hill-a-stop-on-solly-msimangas-listening-tour\/"},"modified":"2018-09-30T20:26:16","modified_gmt":"2018-09-30T18:26:16","slug":"fishers-hill-a-stop-on-solly-msimangas-listening-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/09\/30\/fishers-hill-a-stop-on-solly-msimangas-listening-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishers\u2019 Hill a stop on Solly Msimanga\u2019s listening tour"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The DA\u2019s Gauteng Premier candidate, Solly Msimanga, took his Listening Tour to workers in Germiston last Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n<p>As the country is facing an economic recession, Msimanga sought to engage with workers to determine how the increase in the cost of living has affected them, as well as their working conditions.<\/p><div class=\"stream-item stream-item-in-post stream-item-inline-post aligncenter\"><\/div>\n<p>The tours also form part of their research in conducting their 2019 election manifesto.<\/p>\n<p>The tour kicked off in Fishers\u2019 Hill, at Talon Tools, a company that specialises in the sale of gardening, farming and DIY tools, before heading out to Soweto.<\/p><div class=\"stream-item stream-item-in-post stream-item-inline-post aligncenter\"><\/div>\n<p>Mervin Guy, founder and chairman of Talon Tools, expressed concern over the increasing crime rate, multiplying informal settlements in the country and the level of healthcare provided in public hospitals and clinics.<\/p>\n<div class='tie-fluid-width-video-wrapper tie-ignore-fitvid' style='margin-bottom: 30px;'>\n\t\t\t<iframe style='width: 100%; min-height: 300px; aspect-ratio: 16\/9;' src='https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/Q76eHRyoBpw' loading='lazy'><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">ALSO READ:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/187151\/taking-a-walk-through-the-water-purification-process\/\" target=\"_blank\">Taking a walk through the water purification process<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>\u201cWe have implemented a zero-tolerance policy on crime and theft and have set procedures in place ensuring that my workers have longevity in the workplace without the fear of losing their jobs,\u201d said Guy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, I worry about their safety outside the workplace as I do my own safety, something has to be done about the crime and healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The overall tour revealed the uncertainty felt by workers, because the unstable economy could yield distressing results for them in future.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking on cracking down on crime, Msimanga said his office invested in the apt training of EMPD and SAPS officers by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).<\/p>\n<p>He also stated that his main priority was to give people decent stands with sewer line pipes, water and electricity.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_187613\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-187613\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-187613\" src=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/3_32551-520x390.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/3_32551-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/3_32551-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/3_32551-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/3_32551.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-187613\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gauteng premier candidate, Solly Msimanga (left) and his team comprised provincial managing director of the DA, Werner Le Grange (far left) and Michelle Clarke (DA spokesperson on community safety in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, right). This was during a meeting with Talon Tools\u2019 founder, Mervin Guy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI may not be able to build you a house, but I can provide you the start you need.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople have mentioned to me that they are not charity cases, they want the opportunity to do things for themselves,\u201d said Msimanga.<\/p>\n<p>According to Msimanga, the government is to be blamed for its corruption, and for failing in its plan to support businesses and attract investors so as to boost the Gauteng economy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGauteng\u2019s micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) are struggling to survive and to sustain their production,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese companies are being negatively impacted by cheap imports from other countries, and as a result are forced to shut down production, as they cannot compete on an equal footing.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\"><\/h4>\n<p>After leaving Germiston, the tour headed out to Dita Products in Devland, Soweto, which specialises in plastic injection moulding.<\/p>\n<p>This company, fully furnished with adequate equipment that is not used due to a lack of job contracts, had to reduce its staff from 75 to 20 employees.<\/p>\n<p>Workers also expressed concern over their long term job security if production plants are not going to recover.<\/p>\n<p>Crime is also a serious challenge in the area. Companies are vandalised, broken into and their goods stolen which affects their productivity.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_187614\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-187614\" style=\"width: 520px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-187614\" src=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/2_69074-520x390.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/2_69074-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/2_69074-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/2_69074-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/2_69074.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-187614\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Talon Tools chairman, Mervin Guy, chats to his workers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">ALSO READ:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/186943\/local-sculptor-a-hit-with-torso-art\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dawnview sculptor a hit with torso art<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>\u201cThe employees are not safe; they are attacked and robbed of their belongings on their way to and from work in the mornings and evenings.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTransport costs are expensive with the rise in petrol prices; workers have to walk to and from work in an unsafe environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a severe lack of adequate service delivery at the clinics and hospitals, the workers are forced to take a half-day or day off from work to send their children to the hospitals due to the long queues,\u201d said Msimanga.<\/p>\n<p>The DA is adamant that they are the only party to bring about the change needed in the province, as Gauteng companies and residents are in dire need of a government that will attract investors and ensure thriving businesses.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are committed to creating employment opportunities for all South Africans, fighting corruption and ensuring access to job opportunities for all,\u201d said Msimanga.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Hav<\/strong><strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-admin\/germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\">germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"mailto:leighh@caxton.co.za\">leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0<a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"mailto:kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/germistoncitynews\/\">Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GCNnews\">Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/germistoncitynews\/\">Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCblgxW6BRXTLGLQvpcumLqA\">YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Or add the GCN on<span class=\"apple-converted-space\"><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><strong>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong><span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0<strong>BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong><span class=\"apple-converted-space\"><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"http:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/\">Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"http:\/\/albertonrecord.co.za\/\">Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><strong><a class=\"anchor_post\" href=\"http:\/\/kemptonexpress.co.za\/\">Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"stream-item stream-item-below-post-content\">\n<div class='tenancy_slot tenancy_slot_1 jannah_ad' style='display: none;' data-query-id='2bd87bbf3fc4e4c68f8c5a32d48d42ad'><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>#MsimangaForPremier: DA Gauteng Premier Candidate Solly Msimanga takes his Listening Tour to workers in Germiston and Soweto.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1848,"featured_media":187612,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"hasGravity":false,"cxt_article_byline":"Kgotsofalang 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