ACDP manifesto: religion, sex ed and more

All about

• ACDP supports the constitutional recognition of religion.
• It was instrumental in including the words “In humble submission to Almighty God” in the Western Cape Constitution.
• The ACDP is “family-first” and lobbies against any state role in family life, for example, in education, religious education and the like.
• It will amend legislation allowing abortion-on-demand (on most grounds), and on sex education.
• The party is opposed to the legalisation of sex work and pornography, and will introduce laws to make these illegal again.

Crime and corruption

• Review parole system and deny bail for murder, rape, armed robbery and car hijacking.
• Support neighbourhood watches and introduce more safe havens for victims of gender-based violence.
• Will fight for the return of state capture billions.
• Will enshrine muscular independence and resources for key crime-fighting institutions such as SAPS, Hawks, SIU, Asset Forfeiture Unit and the NPA.

Economy

• ACDP stands for an “open market economy with a social conscience”.
• The party will focus on mining, financial and business services, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and construction.
• Will expand the Employment Tax Incentive for businesses for hiring, especially of young people.
• “Fair and equal access” to markets for local business in the face of foreign-owned business.
• Review and rethink fuel taxes to bring down prices.

Education

• Consider a constitutional amendment to protect parents’ rights and prevent ministerial infringements on these rights.
• Repeal the 30% pass mark.
• Review SA’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education system; replace with “age-appropriate” sex education.
• Protect freedom of religion in schools.

Global policy

• Re-establish full diplomatic relations with Israel; move SA Embassy to Jerusalem.
• Support lasting peace in the Middle East but maintain Israel’s right to defend itself.

Governance

• End cadre deployment and “tenderpreneurship” where services supposed to be provided by government are increasingly contracted out.
• Fix Transnet to get goods back onto freight lines.
• Fix and modernise Prasa, so passenger rail can become the cheapest and most reliable form of public transport.

Health (NHI and vaccinations)

• Repeal the National Health Insurance Bill.
• Improve public health facilities; support healthy diet and lifestyle initiatives.
• Oppose mandatory vaccinations for Covid-19 and similar variants; instead support the use of ivermectin. (The drug discredited for use by humans during Covid. Ed.)

Land and housing

• Protect property rights; promote partnerships between established and emerging farmers.
• Ensure fairer distribution of rights on tribal or trust land.
• Massive title deed transfers to ease the housing crisis; review current database while introducing one national housing waiting list.
• Eradicate informal settlements.
• Repeal the 2023 National Water Amendment Bill, which interferes with agricultural water rights.

Load shedding

• (The ACDP manifesto pivots on keeping the lights on. Ed.)
• Appoint retired engineers and technical experts to power stations.
• Exempt the energy sector from preferential procurement laws to cut out middlemen.
• Support increased use of renewables and a just transition away from coal-based energy.

Reality check

• The ACDP positions on abortion and sex work are out of kilter with South Africa’s long-standing decisions on the rights to life, work and choice.
• Although the death penalty is not part of the current ACDP manifesto, pastor-turned political leader Kenneth Meshoe was quoted in April about wanting to reintroduce the death penalty in South Africa.

What’s good?

• This is a boutique manifesto for a religious party.
• The ACPD protects its turf and advocates well for its membership.
• It uses a moral lens to take a strong position against corruption, which we like.