Breakfast with Mmusi Maimane

Yesterday Ward 57 had the pleasure to host a breakfast at The Kitchen in Woodstock  for around 30 invited guests who met, chatted with and listened to DA Parliamentary Leader Mmusi Maimane MP, discuss his thoughts, ideas, and insights about South Africa. In a wide ranging speech the following points stand out:

On the ANC: After 20 years in power its leadership has lost the plot, lacks political will or effective leadership and does not respect the Constitution or the institutions of state which are meant to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.  Preferring rather to subvert them to defend their own entrenched interests.

Opposition role: The DA is in for the long haul, as we understand the importance of democratic principles and the need to protect and uphold them as an effective opposition.  This goes beyond grandstanding and means taking the government to task if necessary on a wide array of issues – education, defence, spending, corruption, Eskom – backed up by research.

Corruption: In the budget R9 billion was raised by increasing taxation – R30 billion alone has been lost with corruption, Government should be looking at corruption, and cutting down on wasteful spending.

Education:  It is the only way for the youth to become employable, youth unemployment is the highest it has ever been and current education policies are failing them miserably.

Continue reading

Power to the People

Stalwarts spent a few hours manning an information table and handing out pamphlets outside Obs Quick Spar in Station Road to bring home the point that Resolving SA’s electricity crisis starts with breaking Eskom’s monopoly.

It is unsustainable for 95% of our electricity to come from Eskom, a state-owned entity characterized by mismanagement. Our economy cannot grow without a stable power supply. It is estimated that 10% of potential economic growth totalling R300 billion has been lost since 2008 due to electricity supply constraints.

2015 Senior citizens event

Friday 13th of February saw over 100 seniors from a number of retirement homes and social groups from around the ward – including Arcadia, Nazareth House, the Marian Institute and the Woodstock and Salt River Health Committees catching buses to the 2015 senior citizens picnic hosted by Councillors Brett Herron and Paddy Chapple at the Green Point Urban Park which lies adjacent to the Cape Town Stadium.

The weather did not quite play along yet failed to dampen both the spirits of the seniors or the natural beauty of the setting. Lunch was eaten, an informative lecture was given and Valentine’s Day gifts were distributed by Brett. A truly enjoyable morning was had by all, as can be seen from the photos (Click to open full size images).

The Sound of Laughter

The Sound of Laughter

Weeeaaarrre Baaaaaack: Ward 57 and Alan Committie  will be back on Friday 5th December at the Theatre on the Bay for this year’s Ward fundraiser.  Starring the irrepressible One Man Committee of
 Comedy,  Alan Committie is bound to have us in stitches as, well … Julie Andrews (???) in The Sound of Laughter and a whole host of mad persona including:

  • Selfies to Christmas Elfies,
  • Banting whilst bunting,
  • The final say on the Pistorius trial, and
  • A beautifully nuanced recreation of The Sound of Music – in 8 minutes

Continue reading

Office move

Obs Community Centre

Observatory Community Centre

In June the Constituency Office moved from Station Road to the Observatory Community Centre on the corner of Rawson and Collingwood Roads Observatory.

Manned by Councillor Paddy Chapple and Naz it is an advice office which is open from 7.30 to 12:00 every day and has the following telephone number: 021 447 9029

Did we win?

Damn right we did, we won big, huge in fact, and we can high five the contribution we each made towards making history together.  The results from the voting districts below speak volumes.  For the full results from the IEC, select the blue hyperlink from the relevant Voting Districts of each Provincial and National DA vote.

Ward 57 Election Results
Provincial National
Voting District  DA  ANC  DA  ANC
Hartleyvale 652 70 613 79
Mowbray 1134 680 1014 873
Zonnebloem 1352 208 1298 224
Nazareth House 2111 66 2093 68
Obs Junior 1080 280 993 352
Queens Park 1438 172 1125 182
Thandokulu 571 688 471 801
Chapel Street 927 294 901 371
Blackpool 1324 186 1303 217

Election Activities

The next few weeks are going to be filled with hectic political activity and Ward 57 will be no exception.  A DA Breakfast fundraiser, canvassing, walk abouts, talks, leaflet distributions and all the buzz which will most definitely see us achieve the kind of result which this Ward deserves – a comprehensive DA win. All DA supporters are welcome to attend the planned activities.

For a photographic round up of recent activity on Facebook, such as Paddy catching a MyCiti bus after our Election info table on Derry Street; Campaigning in Woodstock with Ward 55 last Saturday, which was great fun; and last night’s DA Blue Wave at St Peters with our high energy Min of Housing Madikizela. A blue tornado! See the Democratic-Alliance-Ward-57 page. 

2013 Senior Citizens Event

Tuesday 11th of February saw over 100 seniors from a number of retirement homes and social groups from around the ward – including Arcadia, Nazareth House, the Marian Institute and the Woodstock and Salt River Health Committees catching buses to the (postponed because of Nelson Mandela’s death) 2013 senior citizens picnic hosted by Councillors Brett Herron and Paddy Chapple at Kirstenbosch.

The weather was perfect and the setting like nowhere else in the world. Lunch was eaten, songs were sung, dances danced and Valentines Day gifts distributed by Brett. A truly enjoyable day was had by all, as can be seen from the photos (Click to open full size images).

DA ready for May 7 Election

The Democratic Alliance welcomes President Zuma’s announcement that the 2014 national and provincial elections will take place on Wednesday 7th of May. We stand ready to fight the closest election in the history of democratic South Africa.

This will be the jobs election. On 7th May, voters will have the opportunity to decide which party has the policies and the political will to cut corruption and create jobs.

When the DA launches its manifesto on 23rd February in Polokwane, we will present a very clear choice to the electorate. Our offer is centred on creating 6 million REAL jobs by growing the economy at 8% over the next decade.

We will make this election a battle of ideas; even as our opponents cling to the outdated politics of racial mobilisation.

Tens of thousands of DA activists are fanning out across the country to deliver the DA’s message of hope, change and jobs. We are the most diverse party in South Africa and we are growing in every community.

We can make history in this election. We can put the politics of the past behind us and move boldly towards the South Africa we dreamed of in 1994.