Zille heralds Black Economic Empowerment
Democratic Alliance leader, Helen Zille, made it clear last week during her visit to Ballito that the official opposition party supports Black Economic Empowerment.
Zille caught the attention of the mostly white audience at Zara’s Café with her declaration in support of the controversial policy.
During the question and answer time North Coast resident Nick Robert asked Zille how she could support BEE after “research has shown that it is not benefiting the poor”.
Zille made it clear that she believed the DA’s definition of BEE was different from that of the ruling party.
“BEE should broaden opportunities, not manipulate outcomes. The ANC uses BEE to promote friends, this is patronage, not BEE. We would like to use BEE to address the legacy of apartheid by giving opportunities to the people who will work hard and otherwise would be unable to access these opportunities.”
Zille spoke passionately on the party’s goal to bring the ANC under 50% in Gauteng and to gain 30% of the vote nationally in next year’s general elections.
“I know this is a stretch target but we are determined to build a new majority.”
Dolphin Coast Ratepayers and Resident’s Association (Docrra) chairman Louis Luyt junior, accused the local DA councillors of not performing and said it had been left up to the residents association to look after the community.
In her reply Zille said she would investigate his claims but it was difficult to provide services when the DA did not govern the area.
“Where we do govern, we have shown that we can.”
“In Cape Town we have a hotline for pothole and streetlight repair and a 48-hour turnaround time.”
Salt Rock resident Ray Leitch asked Zille for her opinion on land reform and whether she thought SA would go the same way as Zimbabwe.
Zille said land reform was necessary but “we have to do it in a way that promotes productivity and respects land ownership.”
Ward 22 Cllr Ann McDonnell thanked the guests for their support and the many sponsors and businesses that made the evening possible.
“How good it is to hear such an uplifting talk by someone closely engaged with our politics. Difficult questions were handled with respect, integrity and honesty which emanate from Helen’s experience in leadership as the mayor and then premier of the Western Cape. The funds raised on Wednesday evening through generous sponsors will be put to good use, propelling us toward the 30% tipping point needed to make inroads into all communities in the 2014 elections,” said McDonnell.
