A number of Germiston residents braved the chilly autumn evening on Thursday to attend the LamDel Residents Association (RA) political party question-and-answer evening.<\/p>\n
The event, held at Majestic Garden Centre in Lambton, saw representatives from the DA, Good, VF+ and Cope answering questions and concerns raised by the Germiston community.<\/p>
The ANC, EFF, Agang and ACDP were also invited to the event but did not attend for various reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aim of the event was to ensure our residents were well informed prior to casting their votes on May 8,\u201d said Lornette Joseph, chairperson of LamDel RA.<\/p>
\u201cWhen people vote from a place of knowledge, it\u2019s better for everyone, especially our country.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften the \u2018man on the street\u2019 does not know what each political party stands for, often relying on the media or hearsay for their information.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the evening\u2019s proceedings, each party representative was given the same six questions to answer.<\/p>\n
Each party had a maximum of two minutes to answer each of the questions, which focused on job creation, Eskom, housing, education, corruption and local government\u2019s role in provincial matters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe questions were compiled by the LamDel RA, based on what the residents in the area wished to know,\u201d explained Joseph.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe questions were given to the candidates on the evening in writing and the questions were also sent to the parties who could not attend.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe felt it only fair for every person to answer the same questions as it levels the playing field.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joseph read out each question, offering clarity when needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn regards to job creation, residents want to know how the DA plans on getting jobs in every home?\u201d Joseph asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this only a national promise or a provincial one as well?<\/p>\n
\u201cTo the other parties, what are your ideas on job creation?<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, why is the vast reservoir of knowledge, of experience, acumen and working ability of senior citizens ignored in the workplace in both government and private enterprises?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cope\u2019s Dennis Bloom was the first to answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are going around telling people that you are going to create jobs all over, you need to remember that story is 25 years old,\u201d Bloom said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone seems to think our people are stupid by promising them jobs, jobs and more jobs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe economy in South Africa is damaged, so how at elections are you going to create jobs?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe at Cope have never promised anyone jobs and never will. Instead, we want to empower our people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to give people skills so that they can go on to employ other people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
DA representative Mike Moriarty then took to the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cA government doesn\u2019t create jobs, a government builds an economy and it is in the economy that jobs are created,\u201d Moriarty said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy must the government be in place if it won\u2019t bother to try do something?<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you aim at nothing, you are going to hit nothing. So you have to work, put a plan together and say that this plan is the best plan that will take us forward to ensure the people we are going to serve will benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n
VF+ representative Anton Alberts said, \u201cThe government can\u2019t create jobs, but it can create an environment in which businesses come and create jobs.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the government needs to assist businesses from the start so that they want to invest and so that new businesses can start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam Shabane from Good shared the party\u2019s views.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all agree that it is impossible for the government to promise jobs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe at the Good Movement say remove the red tape and rather lay down a red carpet for people to start businesses, thereby, creating jobs,\u201d said Shabane.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have people with skills, encourage them to start businesses and encourage the youngsters to go out and be willing to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eskom and continued power outages was a burning question at the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is your plan for Eskom, where we the citizens are no longer having to foot the bill?\u201d Joseph asked.<\/p>\n
Bloom was the first to answer again.<\/p>\n
\u201cEskom employs capable people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis problem is a now problem as capable people were taken out of their positions and replaced with people who are unable to do the job,\u201d Bloom said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are experiencing now is a fightback, people are fighting for power.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would remove all the rotten apples and bring back the skilled people, regardless of race, who know how to keep the lights on.\u201d<\/p>\n