Stop Press:

Election Date Declared! We go to the polls on 18 May 2011. Last opportunity to register: If you have not already done so, this weekend, 5,6 March, is the very last opportunity to register to vote in the forthcoming elections. Take your green barcoded ID book and go along to your local polling station and get registered. See www.iec.org.za or call the DA Joburg office on 011-2428802.

 

 

 

Helen visits Sandton:
Premier Helen Zille and Bongi Madikizela (MEC housing - Western Cape) recently spoke at a gala fundraising dinner in Sandton, attended by 270 local supporters. Bongi, while reticent to blow his own trumpet, reminded us that the DA is delivering housing at a faster rate than the ANC ever did in the Western Cape. His department has delivered 24700 new houses in the first 20 months in office which must surely be a record. Helen spoke enthusiastically about the future of SA and the need for a democratic system of government change, where the politicians are afraid of the voters and not the other way around.

Next morning Helen and Bongi visited residents in Alexandra township, where the DA had assisted after numerous shack fires, by rebuilding shacks, delivering food parcels to those suddenly homeless and encouraging those who have become disillusioned with the government’s lack of delivery.

 

  

 

Parliament:
The president delivered his fairly mundane State of the Nation address recently, followed by the Budget Speech of the Finance Minister (see a video clip of my response to Zuma in parliament at www.ianollis.com). What was encouraging this year was the focus of both speeches on the need to create new jobs. South Africa needs many, many new jobs. Unfortunately this hope is counteracted by the four draft new labour laws gazetted for public comment by the minister of labour on 17 December (see www.ianollis.com for downloads). These new draft laws seek to create a large Public Employment agency, funded mostly by the taxpayer, which will compete with regular employment agencies and make changes to the Labour Relations Act, the Employment Equity Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. The direction these take is to make it harder to do business in SA as it will force racial demographics on employers in terms of their employment policy, make it more difficult for foreign nationals to get work in SA and a range of other far-reaching legislation. The most controversial was the change to the E.E.A., removing the option of regional or provincial demographics as the target for employers to comply with and thereby enforcing a national demographic requirement on the country. This has been aired in the press in much detail and I am caught up in getting this legislation completely redrafted and demanding that it be withdrawn.

The budget also hands over R1 Billion to the National Youth Development Agency, after they recently were accused of squandering over R100 million on a youth conference in Pretoria, which was poorly organised.

The tax regime is also set to change with increases in fuel levies, “sin taxes” on tobacco and alcoholic beverages, and changes to provident fund taxes. There is also a new tax on the proceeds of gambling winnings. In general there is more tax coming your way! R39 Billion is being allocated to various job creation funds, but without a current plan of how to create those jobs. We await an action plan in this regard.

Local issues:
The Billing Crisis in Johannesburg and the resultant cut off of many rate payers over the recent holiday period, has thousands in uproar, and rightly so. It is a national embarrassment that the City Council is owed R10 Billion and that the billing system is such a mess that they are cutting off all the wrong people. I personally had my electricity cut off and am agitating for a correct bill. I have also made substantial proposals on how to correct the billing system which can be read on www.thedailymaverick.co.za – see Opinionistas.

Public Meetings:
The Democratic Alliance in our constituency is planning two public meetings to assist residents and to explain what the DA is doing in Johannesburg. The first will be held on Monday 14th March at the Morningside Country Club, no 1. Delerey Street, Morningside at 7pm.  Contact Mr. Neil Wysall re. Arrangements on 083 652 2640.

The Second is a public meeting on the Billing crisis and the cut-off’s is to be hosted on the 24th February at 6:30pm, venue to be confirmed. We aim to offer the best advice to residents on how to get billing problems resolved within the mess that the city council has created. Residents are invited to attend both events.

Contact info:      
Councillor Patrick Atkinson    083 445 2059

Councillor Vincent Earp         079 882 2652

Councillor Gordon Mackay     079 498 8646

Councillor Alan Fuchs            083 444 8703

Finally, Donna Rachelson has written her first book on personal branding entitled: “Branding & Marketing YOU” Aside from the fact that she writes about your favourite MP in one chapter, it is a very helpful book for those who need to create a brand identity and I heartily recommend it to you.

You may find more detail on our political activity and further updates and info on the website www.ianollis.com

Please remember to register this weekend and to vote in May. The city needs you to express your wishes as voters, and remember, Voter apathy kills a healthy democracy!

Finally the Democratic Alliance national election campaign launch is to be held on 24 March at 10am at the Walter Sisulu Memorial Square, Kliptown, Soweto.