Deputy President ‘happy with service delivery, yet it can be better’
Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s Christmas message highlighted the government’s strides in service delivery.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s Christmas message highlighted the government’s strides in service delivery, emphasizing increased access to education, healthcare, housing, water, and electricity.
Mashatile acknowledged the need for further efforts in addressing inequality, urging South Africans to reflect on the less fortunate during the festive season.
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DEPUTY PRESIDENT CELEBRATES SUCESS AND ACKNOWLEDGED BATTLES
While recognizing the nation’s successes, he emphasized the ongoing battle against social ills, emphasizing the societal change required for a truly inclusive and thriving South Africa.
Despite the positive developments, the article notes the absence of specific timelines in Mashatile’s address, leaving room for interpretation regarding the duration of the mentioned advancements.
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WHAT OF LOADSHEDDING?
However, The Citizen raised concerns about the disconnect between the deputy president’s positive remarks and the persistent service delivery protests in South Africa.
“The deputy president made these remarks despite service delivery protests being common in South Africa. In 2022 there were 193 protests over the lack of municipal services. In the first half of 2023, there were 122 service delivery protests.”
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Mashatile’s omission of load shedding and the water crisis, coupled with the increasing number of service delivery protests, raises questions about the effectiveness of the touted improvements.
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WARNED MOTORISTS ABOUT DRUNK DRIVING
He told motorists to “drive safely, not drink and drive, [and] when tired get some rest”.
“Motorists and other road users are encouraged to avoid travelling at night [and] where possible to be more cautious when travelling on weekends as road accidents are particularly high on these days.”
He expressed government’s gratitude to South Africa’s health officials, law enforcement officers, firefighters, community workers, faith leaders and traditional authorities.
