Foreword
30 years have passed since the dawn of South Africa’s democratic dispensation
with its promise of a free and brighter future for all. However, this is far from
our reality today. Ongoing load shedding has seen many businesses collapse
as no economy can function properly without access to reliable and affordable
energy. Added to this is the increasing dysfunctionality of our Transnet ports
and rail network, all of which severely undermine our economic growth
prospects.
The protracted Covid-19 lockdown, recommended by the World Health
Organization (WHO), severely constrained our personal freedoms and resulted
in the closure of thousands of businesses. During this time, an estimated
2 million South Africans lost their jobs, joining the ranks of those already
struggling and living below the poverty line.
In addition, and despite assurances from government that the Covid-19
vaccines were safe and effective, many continue to suffer from Covid-19
vaccine injuries, with little or no recourse to effective medical treatment or
compensation.
The WHO now seeks extended powers through amendments to the
International Health Regulations of 2005 and the Pandemic Treaty which
could reduce South Africa’s sovereign right to determine its own public health
policies. These include making what previously were ‘recommendations’, now
‘binding obligations’ on Member States which could potentially allow the WHO
to declare pandemics and even for it to impose binding restrictions such as
lockdowns, surveillance and mandatory treatments on these countries.
This power-grab by an unelected and unaccountable body beholden to certain
countries, multinationals and powerful individual donors must be subjected to
a full Parliamentary approval process, which includes public participation.
Escalating crime in South Africa has reached alarming levels, leaving many of
us feeling unsafe and afraid of becoming the target of opportunistic criminals
ACDP Manifesto
4
2024 National and Provincial Elections