By Johnathan Paoli
The Democratic Alliance says it has made significant strides in the first 100 days of the Government of National Unity, focusing on transforming optimism into tangible action for growth and job creation.
Reflecting on the choices faced following the general elections, DA leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has emphasised the role played by his party in countering what he claims to be a disastrous future for the country.
“We could have left South Africa to the Economic Freedom Fighters and Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), which would have led to economic and social ruin. Instead, we chose to prioritise the nation’s future,” Steenhuisen said on Sunday.
He said this commitment has sparked renewed optimism among citizens, fuelling confidence in the country’s economic trajectory.
Central to the DA’s agenda has been a commitment to boost economic growth and lower unemployment, with specific key performance indicators established to measure progress.
Steenhuisen confirmed that DA ministers have begun a thorough evaluation of government programmes to eliminate those that failed to deliver value.
The aim was to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio below 70% within five years to avert a fiscal crisis.
He said collaborations with the Treasury and the Presidency had led to initiatives such as the concession of ports and rail systems, as well as reforms to enhance local government financing and infrastructure.
The party leader praised the Home Affairs @home initiative, which aimed to digitise services and alleviate the need for in-person visits and improve efficiency.
Steenhuisen said the party had ensured tourism revitalisation through the introduction of a Trusted Tour Operator Scheme, which would reignite tourism from key markets, including China and India.
In terms of new visa regulations, he said the DA has refined regulations for remote work and points-based work visas. It was designed to attract skilled labour and create thousands of new jobs.
Steenhuisen said investigations into corruption within the Department of Public Works had been initiated to restore public trust and ensure accountability.
It was also reviewing the 30% local procurement rule for construction projects in order to ensure it empowered genuine small businesses rather than criminal entities.
He said the DA had launched a comprehensive review of education financing, focusing on stabilising funding for the medium term.
It was also addressing a pressing public concern regarding backlog resolution at the Home Affairs Department, with it successfully clearing a backlog of 250,000 ID applications within a month.
Steenhuisen welcomed the party improving the contribution to GDP growth, by facilitating an economic impact study into reducing VAT and import duties on smart devices which aimed to enhance accessibility to advanced networks.
The party leader said the DA was intent on bringing development and progress to the country.
“Our focus remains steadfast on delivering real results for South Africans. We are dedicated to driving growth and job creation as we continue to transform optimism into meaningful action,” Steenhuisen said.
He said the party was in the process of viewing every department in which it was represented as an opportunity to drive growth and jobs, and to develop policy priorities accordingly.
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