ANC promises to take action against high cost of living crisis
The ANC has promised to tackle the high cost of living crisis to make daily expenses more affordable for regular South Africans.
Tackling the high cost of living by making everyday life more affordable for workers, unemployed persons, and women-headed households is what ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa promised South Africans ahead of the national and provincial elections.
Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the ANC’s manifesto launch at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on Saturday. He said addressing key needs like food, housing, health care, energy, transport, and wages of the government’s top 5 priorities.
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LOWER FOOD PRICES AND INCREASE FOOD SECURITY – RAMAPHOSA
“(The ANC will) lower the cost of food through VAT exemption on essential items, support food security through land reform, support for community and home gardens, and act against price fixing,” he said.
Ramaphosa said they would also ensure essential services are affordable by maintaining and expanding subsidized basic services like water, houses, and electricity for people experiencing poverty.
REDUCE COST OF MEDICAL CARE – ANC
“We will develop more subsidised human settlements, implement the National Health Insurance to reduce the cost of medical care, especially for the poor, reduce energy bills by promoting cheaper or subsidised solar power, Introduce measures to regulate rental prices for student accommodation and increase affordable rail and other commuter transport,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the government would also invest in people by improving access to quality education and health, expanding the use of science and technology, and ensuring all people have decent housing and essential services.
GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SAYS ANC
Ramaphosa said national and provincial governments will be given greater responsibilities to support municipalities that struggle to provide services to communities.
He also said that the ANC would punish public representatives who fail to deliver essential services to communities. “ANC Local Government Monitor and act against public representatives who are not performing,” he said.