Sunday, 01 May 2011

That's all folks!

Below are the questions asked in the 1 May 2011 #DAQA session, before the official cut-off at around nine PM. Note that every effort is made to include all questions and answers. However, there are exceptions, namely:

  • Extensive back-and-forth replies after the initial question is answered: these are hard to keep track of, as multiple individuals may join a discussion. To see more on any point, simply search on Twitter.
  • Obviously-disruptive questions: for example if someone is clearly heckling or disrupting the session rather than seeking a debate or answer. 
  • Having an ulterior motive e.g. someone trying to promote a product or service.
  • Duplicate questions, especially from the same person.

If any questions have been unintentionally left out, please comment on this post with details. If any answers have been unintentionally left out, please comment on the relevant post.

How do you explain why the overwhelming number of disillusioned ANC supporters cannot find an alternative?

Asked by @GrantHofmeyr - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Well, many will in this election. But it takes time to change your mind about a party that you have supported and that once did something great for you.

If DA wins in JHB, what will u do with the ANC deployed cadres in the municipality?

Asked by @willymeela - answered by

Out of interest, any recycling plans for those 900000 election posters? Specially as they seem 100% resistant to biodegrading ;

Asked by @quarkum - answered by @RyanCoetzee
We put a HUGE effort into getting them back so we can use them again :) The paper can be recycled. Not the boards.

Will the DA's image change alot before the 2014 election? Name, logo, colour?

Asked by @Jo1Coetzee - answered by @RyanCoetzee
I doubt it. We will stick with name, colour and logo unless a new party is formed one day.

After election debate on SABC 1 tonight will DA go in a coalition with ACDP or even COPE if its necessary?and what about their comments?

Asked by @jasonhubner - answered by @RyanCoetzee
If we need to go into coalitions then we will consider that if we can agree on a programme of action with another party.

What is the da's plan for roads that may not have potholes but reaching the end of their life and need resurfacing in JHB?

Asked by @lukebenincasa - answered by

Do you think the anc's proposed bill to end cadre deployment in municipalities will make any practical difference?

Asked by @AndrewpKemp - answered by @RyanCoetzee
No, because the ANC has developed a corrupt organisational culture that will be very hard to break.

Were told that COPE gave their extra seats to ANC tonight #electiondebate Stellenbosch, would DA work with COPE?

Asked by @DAYActivist - answered by

What are your views on tollroads in jhb?

Asked by @ajbho - answered by @mikemo702
Re Gtg tollroads. These not part of JHB functions or budget. If we controlled national/province we would rationalise fuel levy in terms of income and expenditure. Not convinced that motorists not already paying - levy is abused. Also costs being imposed are exorbitant. R6bn being paid for the electronics!

In CityPress article: 'white members will have to learn to stand back if the party is to survive'. Do you agree?

Asked by @wasabigreen - answered by @RyanCoetzee
There is not need for anyone in the DA to stand back - there is space for everyone, especially if we keep growing. It is important for us to put the cause first and contribute in the way best suited to our skills. It's not a race thing.

Has Ipsor Markinor made there election prediction public yet?

Asked by @Jo1Coetzee - answered by @RyanCoetzee
No poll from Markinor yet, far as I know. Perhaps they've been burnt too many times :)

If the DA wins more all over SA - will the money we get from the IEC increase?

Asked by @Jo1Coetzee - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Yes, IEC money is linked to how many votes you get. But for national elections..

Where is this FF+ / DA pamphlet?

Asked by @kmf - answered by

Could you please tell me where I can find an in-depth explanation of the DA's B-BBEE policy?

Asked by @keithlevenstein - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Yes, @Gvanonselen can send you the BBBEE policy. I believe @timharris worked on it too.
Response by @keithlevenstein

The DA economic policy on web site has 1 inaccurate/out of date page on B-BBEE. Is this the best you have?
Reply by @RyanCoetzee
No we have more on BEE than that. Will find it. And also open to good new ideas.  

Helen said on Thursday, we need a foot hold in each province. What are they for Freestate, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Natal?

Asked by @Jo1Coetzee - answered by

Is there any coalitions planned for Tshwane?

Asked by @kmf - answered by @RyanCoetzee
We can't plan coalitions - we must see what the election result is first. Maximise our support. Then worry about coalitions.

Will you deport the foreigners in Johannesburg and Pretoria back to Zimbabwe, or will you feed them at the taxpayer's cost?

Asked by @hkrugertjie - answered by @RyanCoetzee
We must apply the law when it comes to illegal immigration, in a humane way that treats people as people. Illegal immigrants get deported. But you don't have to violate rights while doing it.

Do you have a Mayoral Candidate for Delmas or you only have Mayoral Candidates for big Metros??

Asked by @dayshadrack - answered by @RyanCoetzee
For all winnable or strategic municipalities - so not every single one, no.

ANC defines democracy 'when the liberation movement governs' alternate is 'apartheid' how do you see this impacting election outcome?

Asked by @shawnbilly - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Well I think the ANC is going to be a little shocked at the outcome. Real test of democratic committment is 2014.

Is the city of CT still going to impliment those Liqour By-laws? And whats the latest?

Asked by @GaGa_Saint - answered by @RyanCoetzee
We will decide on how to take forward the liquor by-laws after the election. We need better regulation but also take other factors into account. We will get onto it after 18 May.
Also answered by @ianneilson
Cape Town will implement the liqour bylaws. We are waiting for the promulgation of the new Provincial Act.

Is the DA already in discussion with other parties for coalitions in places like PE with Cope?

Asked by @Jo1Coetzee - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Not yet. One thing at a time. Gotta win the votes first!

Does the DA support a minimum wage applicable to different sectors?

Asked by @fredsterct - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Not sure Fred. Will find out for you.

Can the monopoles actually sustain the so-called service delivery that you talk about or will eventually result negatv on the taxpayer?

Asked by @hkrugertjie - answered by

What is the DA's opinion on local councillors using "official" report-back mail drops as part of electioneering & fundraising?

Asked by @aloedarling - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Where is that happening? Please let us know the details and we will check if it's legal and ethical.

Very frustrating that I dont have a way of channeling complaints directly to a councillor.How would you make councillors accessible?

Asked by @ajbho - answered by @Jonathan_Moakes
Following local government elections, we will make available councillors contact details on our websites.

What are DA views on gov regulation within pvt sector? ie: banking?

Asked by @themissygill - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Well, there needs to be regulation to ensure competition and protect banking system from speculation. So for example banks need to have a certain amount of capital on hand at all times and not engage in dangerous lending policies (which lead to meltdowns) - so regulation yes, but not control.

SA already has an extraordinarily high disparity, so don't you think anything that exacerbates it is counter-productive?

Asked by @Skhosi1 - answered by @RyanCoetzee
I think I answered that. More jobs = less inequality. The DA will create environment for more jobs.

How will candidate for Parkhurst JHB deal with crumbling roads & pavements, non-working street lights, broken storm drains leaking water pipes & mains, illegal parking on pavements in 4th Ave, missing street signs, unpainted kerbs, litter etc in the area

Asked by @marktz10 - answered by @mikemo702
Re "control" of Parkhurst - DA doesn't run JHB yet. Amt of budget and staffing controlled by ruling party. What I expect from Cllr is whether they are actively pressuring council to address issues like crumbling roads. But to expect ward Cllr to be ultimately acctbl for outcome unreasonabl

Will the DA make our tredding poles public before the election?

Asked by @Jo1Coetzee - answered by @RyanCoetzee
No, we don't make our internal polling public - because then the ANC could use the data too :)

There's a massive shortage of skills,yet loads of keen youngsters looking for experience and training. What's your plans?

Asked by @ajbho - answered by @zakmbhele
Support to apprenticeship progs (like the 1 run by City of CT) & Opportunity Vouchers in form of bursaries & financial assistance to entrepreneurs in public-pvt partnerships. But the real key is 2 unlock labour-absorbing growth thru clean & efficient government, effective service deliveru & investor-friendly policy implementation.

Someone asked me why do we have two posters on the same pole whereas we have none in other places?

Asked by @SollyMalatsi - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Mostly we have one poster per pole. But when you're putting up 900 000, not always perfect :)

Who will all be tweeting/replying #DAQA tonight?

Asked by @JohanTTBlom - answered by 

Tony claimed CT mayor can earn R1m pa - on #SABC1 #electiondebate. Truth? Close to truth?

Asked by @Thian_Fick - answered by @ianneilson
Mayors salaries are promulgated by the National Government. Yes, all Metro Mayors earn around R1m/year.

I also believe that the chances for a DA Tshwane is very good,but what's the effect of cullinan as well as bronkhorstspruit?

Asked by @jasonhubner - answered by @mikemo702
Re Cullinan and Bronkies - our proportion of vote is good there. But these voters rolls much smaller than old Tshw

There is a lot of talk going on about cape town and also jozi with@MaimaneAM but what's the DAs chances in Tshwane with@brandontopham?

Asked by @jasonhubner - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Right now the ANC is vulnerable in Joburg, Tshwane and PE - we can get into government in all three IF DA supporters vote. It depends on turnout and on how many new voters the DA manages to win. It's possible in all three.

How will the DA achieve support from all the different races,sexes,religions etc #DAQA and get rid of the stigma?

Asked by @jasonhubner - answered by @RyanCoetzee
We are making the DA a party for all South Africans by delivering for all, by making people of all backgrounds welcome in the DA; By diversifying our leadership and improving its quality, by being tolerant when others are not.

Is the DA'S FF+ pamflet a affective way to deal with them or is it giving them a platform?

Asked by @Jo1Coetzee - answered by @RyanCoetzee
The DA's FF+ leaflet is gloriously effective in every election. They hate us for it :)

How will the DA change Delmas Municipality if it wins it??

Asked by @dayshadrack - answered by @RyanCoetzee
I don't know much about the specifics of Delmas, but I know basic service delivery is a shambles. So we would start there. Which means we must hire a competent municipal manager and staff and make sure money is well managed.

Why are there no ward candidate posters in DBN not up yet?

Asked by @rawRiy - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Our ward councillor posters are on their way. @jonathan_moakes will have details.
Also answered by @warwickchapman
Riyaadh, they are coming this week and we will have the advantage of erecting them in prime positions relative to the others.

Is Dr. Ivan Meyer on Twitter?

Asked by @SPLStellenbosch - answered by @RyanCoetzee
Not as far as I know, no.

Do you think the other Parties fear the DA?

Asked by @demokratiese - answered by @RyanCoetzee
I think the ANC has woken up to the fact that the DA is making inroads. Hence the ANC's Fight Back campaign :)

If elected in JHB, how would you go about sorting the billing problem?

Asked by @ajbho - answered by @mikemo702
JHB bllng fiasco has to be resolved at various levels, system, management, data and resolving defective bills. Project plan reqd to fix billing fiasco and needs to be managed by competent project managers with fixed deadlines/targets.

Will we lobby & even assist residents in other provinces seeing the Makhaza precedent now sets a record?

Asked by @ReagenAllen - answered by @RyanCoetzee
We will take up examples of non-delivery and a violation of socio-economic rights in every province, yes.

How do you expect liberal based policies to close the wealth disparity in SA, when research shows they generally do the opposite?

Asked by @Skhosi1 - answered by @RyanCoetzee
The research is very clear: inequality in SA is driven by unemployment which is very high by int. standards...therefore the most effective way to reduce inequality is to create an environment for growth and jobs. This will involve less dependence on the state to drive the economy. Rather, let business get on with creating jobs. So our policies are designed to do that. The state's role is to govern well, poverty alleviation, basic service delivery.

So the judge said the city of CT must cover the toilets. what material wil be used, iron? And what action will be taken if the ANCYL mafia tears down the newly errected toilet enclosures again?

Asked by @GaGa_Saint - answered by @LindiMazibuko 
We tried to cover them 3 times before and enclosures were torn down by ANCYL.We will try again - @iannieison might have details.
Also answered by @RyanCoetzee
We will cover the toilets in the manner the judge wants. Will ask for clarification is needs be.

When was the sannieshof mayoral camdidate anounced?

Asked by @Jo1Coetzee - answered by @RyanCoetzee
No idea about that, but ask provincial office :)

What is the most important commitment from DA leadership to support @patriciadelille in her mandate for people/poor?

Asked by @dumontc - answered by @RyanCoetzee
@patriciadelille will implement the DA's manifesto in Cape Town and the DA's leadership will give her full support. The DA's entire policy agenda is designed to help SA overcome the legacy of apartheid, including poverty. Delivering services well is NB, but so is creating an environment for growth and jobs - the ticket out of poverty.

There is clearly a perception out there that DA is looking after only the elite. How do you convince people that this is not the case?

Asked by @ajbho - answered by @RyanCoetzee
We have made a case in this election using the facts of the DA's delivery record in government. It has worked. The ANC tries to turn its propaganda into "perceptions" but people use their life experience to decide.

Hw do u feel abt ratepayers in ANC areas threatenin 2pay rates in2 a trust2 use money 2 provide own services?

Asked by @See_Lee_ah - answered by @RyanCoetzee
We don't support rates boycotts. We support electing parties that will use rates well and wisely. We must be careful not to destroy the legitimacy of elected government in SA. Better to promote using vote for change. Obviously we understand the frustration people have, but we must promote a constructive solution.