Election 2004 Manifesto: Part 4
Part 4 includes the challenges and solutions regarding Poverty Eradication, Support for the Aged and the Provision of Basic Services.
POVERTY ERADICATION
Challenges:
The great divide in our society which apartheid created has not closed, but widened significantly over the last ten years. There can be no united South Africa until poverty is addressed. Over 9 million people in our country live below the poverty line. A quarter of our children are seriously malnourished. HIV/AIDS is pushing communities further into poverty.
Instead of fighting the war against poverty, the government directed billions of rand to armaments spending.
Not money alone, but action must be prioritised. 1,5 million children do not receive the grants to which they are entitled. People are ill informed. Transport costs are too high. There are unnecessary time delays in processing applications for grants.
The government praises itself for bringing water, telephones and electricity to millions, but fails to address the disconnections and cut-offs of those who are unable to pay.
ID SOLUTIONS:
Government must develop a comprehensive social security net for the 60% of the poor who are currently not eligible for any form of social grant. As a temporary measure this might include the provision of a grant such as the proposed Universal Basic Income Grant.
Child Support Grant: immediately implement the extension of the Child Support Grant to children up to the age of 14.
Basic Package of Services for all Children:
Challenges:
The great divide in our society which apartheid created has not closed, but widened significantly over the last ten years. There can be no united South Africa until poverty is addressed. Over 9 million people in our country live below the poverty line. A quarter of our children are seriously malnourished. HIV/AIDS is pushing communities further into poverty.
Instead of fighting the war against poverty, the government directed billions of rand to armaments spending.
Not money alone, but action must be prioritised. 1,5 million children do not receive the grants to which they are entitled. People are ill informed. Transport costs are too high. There are unnecessary time delays in processing applications for grants.
The government praises itself for bringing water, telephones and electricity to millions, but fails to address the disconnections and cut-offs of those who are unable to pay.
ID SOLUTIONS:
Government must develop a comprehensive social security net for the 60% of the poor who are currently not eligible for any form of social grant. As a temporary measure this might include the provision of a grant such as the proposed Universal Basic Income Grant.
Child Support Grant: immediately implement the extension of the Child Support Grant to children up to the age of 14.
Basic Package of Services for all Children:
- Free health care for all children.
- National Food Security Programme to combat severe child malnourishment in South Africa.
SUPPORT FOR THE AGED
Pensions should be increased annually in line with the cost of living, not inflation.
PROVISION OF BASIC SERVICES
Every South African has the right to essential services such as water, sanitation and electricity. These rights should not be jeopardised by a person's inability to pay for the service.
