The Democratic Alliance (DA) an official opposition party in the South African Parliament characterises the late Benazir Bhutto as a political legend and an icon of women’s empowerment and praised her statesmanship and leadership.
Comparing the former Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairwoman with the DA leader, Helen Zille, the members of the political party said Zille had also proved her political acumen as a female leader in South Africa.
Western Cape Premier and Provincial Parliament Member Helen Zille has also served as the mayor of Cape Town.
She has acted as a political whistle-blower and is committed to revolutionising the political system to make South Africa liberal and economically strong.
Zille, who won the 2008 World Mayor Award, is focusing her policies on ensuring human rights, environmental protection and limiting the power of the state through clearly defining the line between the ruling party and the government and devolving the decision-making power to the grassroots level.
To talk about the DA leader’s success story, Pakistan Today met with her political assistant Shaun Moffitt at his office in the South African Parliament building in Cape Town.
Talking about his political party, he said: “As it is recognised as a multinational party, the DA believes that the people of other countries, including Pakistan, must be given a fair chance to become members of the South African Parliament and to contribute to the country’s progress.”
Accompanied by leading Pakistani businessman Muhammad Faisal, the DA political assistant said the role of oversees Pakistanis in the development of South Africa could not be overlooked. He urged the DA government to cement relations with Pakistan.
In response to a query, he said the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party in South Africa, had been sabotaging the country’s institutions by manipulating its resources.
“A matter of concern is that the ANC admits publicly to its misdeeds but is unwilling to rein in the party’s corrupt officials,” he said.
Talking about the DA’s policies, Moffitt said the party followed the constitution that enshrined the rule of law, individual rights and freedoms, the separation of power, transparency and accountability.
He added that without these practices in place, governments abuse their power.
“The DA wants an independent and free-thinking civil society, including an independent media and a political opposition that is loyal to the constitutional order.
“The DA will fight any changes made to the constitution that take power away from the people and put it into the hands of politicians. In doing so, we will continue to uphold the values of openness, humility, diversity and reconciliation,” he stated.
He said at a time of international financial uncertainty, South Africa is not immune to global economic challenges.
Moffitt added: “We are already experiencing large-scale job losses; the international prices for our commodities have fallen. Labour-intensive industries, such as mining, manufacturing and retail are also experiencing dramatic slowdowns.” In consideration of these challenges, the DA, he said, has outlined a vision for the future of the South African economy, in the form of its economic policy titled, ‘Creating Economic Opportunities for All’.
The DA’s economic policy allows for a virtuous cycle of skill development, infrastructure and technology investment, improved productivity and increased employment.
Moffitt stated that wage subsidies, the simplification of labour and tax regulations and the elimination of the skills development levy will cut the cost of doing business and encourage employers to hire first-time workers and improve their productivity through on-the-job training.
In reply to a question, he said the DA did not oppose migration from one province to other but was concerned about the increase in the rate of urbanisation.
Moffitt said urbanisation eventually placed huge demands on land, water, housing, transport and employment.
He warned that if these problems were not solved, social unrest and environmental pollution could get worse.
Moffitt stated that the DA was determined to provide civic amenities to the residents of the informal settlements mushrooming in the Western Cape.
He strongly rejected nationalisation in favour of privatisation.
“Pressurising the government to curb wasteful expenditure by using parliamentary procedures will be one of the Democratic Alliance’s top priorities as it strives to ensure that the institution becomes the central arena for political debate and contest,” he said.
