‘Where do the main political parties stand on socio-economic rights?’
With just two weeks to go until the local government elections, the Black Sash has released a review of where the top five political parties stand on the key socio-economic issues facing South Africa. The review forms part of the organisation’s contribution to voter education as well as its ongoing initiative to monitor political parties’ performance and hold them accountable for their policy promises and service delivery commitments.
Black Sash Advocacy Programme Manager Nkosikhulule Nyembezi says he hopes the review will encourage voters to really push all political parties and leaders for more substantial and concrete answers to the critical question of how we should deal with our exceptionally high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment. “We believe that a vote for one political party rather than another should be more than a symbolic gesture. It should start with a comparison of the manifestos and extend to casting a vote that will influence government policy in a manner that makes human rights real for all South Africans,” says Nyembezi.
Using Section 27 of the South African Constitution as the foundation and guide, the Black Sash formulated a set of specific questions around five key socio-economic policy “indicators” - Water; Health; Food Security; Accountability; and the Division of Revenue. The latter two were specifically chosen to explore the clause in Section 27 that states: “The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of each of these rights”. The ANC, DA, IFP, UDM and ACDP were sent the questions and asked to provide written replies. The Black Sash also conducted interviews with party representatives and carefully reviewed the different election manifesto's, speeches and policy documents.
“We are disappointed that political parties have not made better use of their manifestos and election campaigns to clarify their commitment to our Constitutional right to water, healthcare and food, as well as the obligation of municipalities to deliver effectively on these fundamental human rights at local level," says Nyembezi. “We want to encourage voters to engage with the five ‘ballot’ papers we have created and compare the different parties ' policies on socio-economic rights; challenge them to expand on their commitments; and hold them accountable throughout their terms in office," adds Nyembezi.
View our 'ballot paper' showing where the political parties stand on WATER RIGHTS
View our 'ballot paper' showing where the political parties stand on HEALTH RIGHTS
View our 'ballot paper' showing where the political parties stand on FOOD SECURITY
View our 'ballot paper' showing where the political parties stand on ACCOUNTABILITY
View our 'ballot paper' showing where the political parties stand on the DIVISION OF REVENUE
(This story was provided and used with permission by Black Sash.)
