VOTE ANC FOR PEACE DEMOCRACY & DEVELOPMENT
In April 1994, the people of South Africa voted for democracy and a better life for all. We laid a strong foundation for equality and human rights for all citizens. We turned our backs on the division and conflict of apartheid, and set out as a nation on the path towards peace and unity.Most people voted for the ANC because it embodies their vision for a new South Africa, and because the ANC has a record of struggle for the rights of all South Africans.
In November last year in all the provinces, with the exception of KwaZulu Natal, people voted in local elections to establish democratic local government for the first time in our country. The majority reaffirmed their trust in the ANC. They did so because the ANC brought freedom and rights for all. They did so because the ANC brought investment to revive the economy. They did so because the ANC has led the government to make a start in improving the lives of millions of ordinary South Africans.
The local government put in place by the voters has given them a say over issues that affect their daily lives. They are already working through their councils to make plans for reconstructing and developing the places where they live. The ANC at local level has been working hard to promote our vision of reconciliation of communities, of towns, cities and rural areas, that have been thorn apart by apart by apartheid.
The country as a whole is well on its way to making a better life for all, and we, in KwaZulu-Natal must not be left behind. Now it is our turn. A vote for the ANC in the local government elections will be a vote for Peace, Democracy and Development.
The new provincial constitution and the efforts to convene an imbizo to achieve peace are example of the ANC's leading contribution to democratic change in KwaZulu-Natal.
Democratic local councils elected by you, the people using your right to vote for local government representatives of your choice will help make the noble ideals of Peace, Democracy and Development an everyday reality. ANC candidates, like their organisations, have a history of struggle for these ideals. They can be relied upon to work in local government for the communities that elected them.
In all Provinces, with the exception of KwaZulu-Natal, the scourge of political violence is an evil of the past, the ANC will work in local government to achieve peace in KwaZulu-Natal too.
The ANC will work in local government to foster a spirit of peace, reconciliation and political tolerance among all the people and their organisations.
The ANC will work in local government to build bridges between organisations and the people.
The ANC will work closely with the security forces. It will also ensure that the security forces work professionally and impartially.
The ANC in local government will encourage people to come up with creative means to combat crime in our areas. This will mean encouraging active community participation in Community Policing Forums.
The ANC in local government will strive to address the poverty an deprivation of people that feed into violence and crime.
Democracy contributes to bringing peace because it gives people right to shape their own destiny.
Whatever we live in rural or urban areas people must have a right to vote for representatives of our choice. The ANC has resisted and will continue to resist efforts to limit this right in tribal areas.
The ANC will ensure that its elected councillors remain accountable to the people who elected them.
The ANC will ensure that people enjoy the right to join the organisation of their choice. It will back this up with disciplinary action, including expulsion from the ANC, if any of its candidates try to force people to vote or join the organisation.
The ANC will work to ensure that freedom of speech for all the people in each area is upheld. ANC councillors will encourage people to criticise their work and to come up with alternatives.
With ANC led councils, communities will have the power to work with government to make prosperity happen where we live.
The construction of local roads, clinics, creches, building of decent and affordable houses, provision of clean running water and the implementation of the RDP are functions of local government. The ANC councillors will work with communities to make these services available to the people.
ANC councillors will ensure that electricity and telephones reach all our areas.
The ANC councillors will work to ensure that local communities receive priority in providing labour and materials necessary for the implementation of projects.
To ensure a high standard of services in our areas, ANC councillors will encourage people to pay for their rents, rates and services. At the same time they will also work to ensure active participation for a successful Masakhane. ANC councillors will ensure that communities receive good and affordable services.
ANC councillors will work to ensure an application of equitable rates in all areas.
ANC councillors on farms will fight against arbitary evictions of farmers. Special attention will be given to women in rural and farm areas.
These are great challenges facing local government. To succeed we need to elect good and reliable councillors.
They must be the accountable to people unlike the apartheid councils. Voting for the ANC is a bold step forward towards making a better life where we live.
ANC councillors will work closely with communities. We shall be true to the people's aspirations; living among them and working with them. This is our solemn pledge as an organisation and as candidates for local government.