Deputy President Paul Mashatile has launched a direct and forceful critique of the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) governance in the Western Cape, arguing that despite its reputation for clean audits, the province’s leadership continues to sideline black communities and is far from being the country’s best model.
The sharp assessment came during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Thursday, where MPs pressed the Deputy President on the state of municipalities nationwide. In his response, Mashatile drew a clear distinction between financial performance and equitable service delivery.
He acknowledged that several municipalities in the Western Cape receive positive audit outcomes, but insisted that this technical success does not translate into well-being for all. “Although the province is often recognised for strong financial governance overall, this does not reflect the lived experiences of black communities who continue to struggle with socio-economic challenges,” Mashatile stated.
Highlighting a “significant disparity” between affluent areas and townships and rural regions, the Deputy President argued that the true measure of good governance is inclusivity. He explicitly declared the DA’s model sub-optimal, stating, “The optimal model that we require is the one that accommodates all individuals regardless of their race or colour.”
The comments inject a potent political charge into the national discourse on service delivery, framing the upcoming electoral contest not just around financial management, but around racial equity and the tangible improvement of life for marginalised citizens.
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