Hon Speaker, the DA calls on the Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, to officially declare and gazette Saldanha Bay as an industrial development zone, IDZ. Any delay will hold up investment in identified sectors and hamper economic growth for the people of the Western Cape and South Africa as a whole. Any delay will further stifle job creation and ultimately withhold jobs from the people who need them most.
With nearly eight million unemployed people in South Africa, this is unacceptable. The ANC in the Western Cape legislature confirmed at the end of August 2013 that the national Cabinet had approved the decision to declare Saldanha Bay an IDZ on 7 August. It is now a month later, yet no decision has been communicated. Minister Davies needs to account to this House and the people of South Africa - not just share information with party comrades on why this delay has occurred - and resolve any reasons for the hold-up. Minister Davies needs to satisfy this House that no party- politicking is preventing economic growth and much needed job creation. Thank you. [Applause.]