DEAR Editor,-
October is transport month. The Bill of Rights is the cornerstone of our democracy. It enshrines the rights of all the people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. Over and above these democratic values, the Democratic Alliance (DA) believes in an open opportunity society for all, based on freedom, fairness and opportunity. In KwaZulu-Natal, more than two millions pupils are forced to walk to school, often through rough, unsafe terrain, over incredibly long distances.
Thirty-four thousand (34 000) pupils in KZN are transported in bakkies that are often not roadworthy and an unsafe form of transport for our precious children. Because of financial constraints and demographics, parents have no other choice in order to educate their children. The financial demands of safe pupil transport far outweighs the department’s current budget allocation for the Learner Transport Programme and therefore it’s unlikely we will see all pupils in the province with safe transport for a long time.
We cannot wait any longer to ensure that pupil transport is safe and reliable. The tragic death of so many pupils in KZN is inexcusable. In the Western Cape, where the DA governs, 50 000 pupils from rural areas are assisted to get to school and our pupil transport system has over R270-million dedicated to it. This proves that, where we govern, we govern well.
It also proves that when money is budgeted on the right things in order to improve education results, it actually does. What we have been able to do in a shorter period of time in governance in the Western Cape shows what can be achieved if leadership is willing to hold those who are incompetent accountable and to spend budgets in a way that is aligned with producing real results.
LEONARD NGCOBO
DA Umzumbe Councillor
Vice Chairman, Ugu North Constituency
