Our formula to fix local govt - Helen Zille

25 April 2011

[Note: This is an extract of a speech prepared for delivery at a public meeting in Witbank, Mpumalanga.]

Some people in government think that fighting poverty is about coming up with complex policies with important-sounding names and acronyms like RDP, GEAR, ASGISA, JIPSA and the New Growth Path.

They don't understand that half the battle is simply getting the basics of government right. If they spent more time focusing on the basics and less time coming up with grand new schemes, we could win the war against poverty.

Our approach where we govern is to get the basics right. It doesn't sound very impressive, but it works. It's a simple formula that will, over time, roll back poverty in our country. It goes something like this:

1. Appoint the right people in the right places. Cadre deployment destroys service delivery.
2. Open up all government processes to get rid of corruption because corruption destroys service delivery. Corruption is stealing from the poor.
3. Cut out all wasteful expenditure on items that don't benefit the people. Luxury cars for Mayors are not a priority.
4. Sort out the financial management systems to ensure that revenue is collected and debt is reduced. If people who can pay for services don't pay, service delivery grinds to a halt.
5. Prioritise the development and maintenance of bulk infrastructure such as power stations, sewerage plants and water pipes. When these are neglected the taps run dry, sewage spills into the streets and the lights go out. And businesses move elsewhere, taking jobs with them.
6. Focus on improving the conditions of the poor, starting with basic services. Those who qualify should get free basic services so that they can live with dignity and emerge from poverty.

This is the formula we apply in the places we govern. Read more: Politicsweb ...