New kid on the block, Rise Mzansi, has unveiled its people’s manifesto, promising to bring reforms and changes to the country’s economy, crime, foreign policy, and corruption among others.
Party leader Songezo Zibi delivered the manifesto at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Saturday to about 4000 supporters.
The party was formed nine months ago by Zibi, former newspaper editor, who told supporters that the manifesto contains daily experiences and voices of South Africans.
With just few months in the political spectrum, Zibi acknowledged that the road won’t be easy.
“We promise no miracles, instead we make it clear that reversing this disaster is going to be very hard.
“South Africa needs new leaders with vision, purpose, and a strong sense of patriotism. This people don’t love our country.
“You don’t steal from the people if you love the country if you love,” said Zibi.
Zibi told supporters that the government has failed to create a conducive environment that will transform the economy and attract investments.
According to Zibi, the Rise Mzansi government will implement measures that will rebuild the economy and make the manifesto a reality.
“We have a good plan in fixing our economy and putting people to work. We cannot transform this economy if we don’t build new businesses. We cannot grow the economy if we do not, there must be new businesses.
“A Rise Mzansi government will work with the farming, Agri, mining, tourism, manufacturing industries, to remove obstacles to investment and support small businesses and entrepreneurs in those sectors,” explained Zibi.
Zibi said this can only be achieved, if authorities tackle violent crime, as citizens cannot “open or run businesses when they get robbed or killed every day.”
He said violent crime is also hampering foreign investment as big businesses are afraid to invest in the country due to the high crime.
The party said should they be given an opportunity to lead, they will also end cadre deployment, reduce cabinet size, ensure that those implicated in corruption are prosecuted, end blue lights, and only deploy qualified people to parliament.
Zibi lamented the state of state-owned enterprises, especially Eskom, describing it as a cash cow for politicians.
“We have to fix Eskom so that it empowers our economy. The only reason Eskom is in this situation, is because the cadres see it as a cow that they need to milk.
“They see Transnet and municipalities the same way, and if we get them out, we get the best people that we can find to be on the board, management team and run the power stations. There is no economy that grows when there’s no electricity,” highlighted Zibi.
He also indicated that the Rise Mzansi’s government foreign policy will advance human rights and compassion around the world.
Regarding immigration, Zibi said they will fix the current immigration system, describing the existing one as corrupt.
The party said it will contest the upcoming national and provincial elections.
