The Inkatha Freedom Party calls on government to give people reason to celebrate on Freedom day.
“I don’t think that it is possible to truly celebrate Freedom Day while corruption is rampant and many people go to bed with empty stomachs. How you can celebrate Freedom Day when you are hungry and do not have decent houses? How you can celebrate Freedom Day when people in authority are stealing public funds and crime is rampant in our country? Is this Government telling people that they must celebrate being poor and celebrate theft from the public purse? We might have political freedom, but we are not truly free,” said IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.
“Government should not expect everyone to celebrate Freedom Day. The violent service-delivery protests that continue to rock many parts of South Africa proves that government has failed the people with regard to the provision of basic services. A lack of responsiveness to issues raised by communities is a major contributor to these protests. False promises of housing, jobs and decent sanitation has left our people feeling despondent and with little hope,” continued Mr Gwala.
“After 22years of living in shack settlements without access to basic services is no reason to celebrate. Having thousands of young people unqualified and unemployable is no reason to celebrate. Instead of squandering millions of rand on so-called celebrations that are intended to cover up its failures, this government should focus its efforts on creating sustainable jobs and providing decent housing for our people. People need to live in dignity before they can celebrate. Being free from apartheid is reason to celebrate, but we cannot celebrate while we are prisoners to poverty and hunger,” concluded Mr Gwala.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL,
IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature
078 290 5842
