"People need to make their voices heard and take part in public participation processes, as this helps the government make decisions and introduce legislation that works for all."

"the government should embark on effective public educational programs in schools and tertiary institutions, educating people about how Parliament works, the importance of participation, and how they can engage with their representatives and hold them accountable."

"On the other hand, many people feel the government is appointed to make the right decisions to better the lives of all, and some think their input will not be considered."

"I believe in making an impact by doing effective oversight and listening to what people want. To my advantage is the fact that I have worked on the ground for 20 years (being in government and as opposition) in different communities, and I understand the needs and challenges that South Africans face daily."

"A public representative has responsibilities towards the party he/she represents and governance responsibilities pertaining to the sphere of government in which he/she serves."

"The ANC should also be blamed because its youth league president is not yet groomed from secondary school level politics to tertiary level politics. He is being thrown into the deep end"

"He must also recognise that his role as leader of one of the largest youth movements in South Africa comes with very large responsibilities and that his behaviour at all times should reflect that of a leader and not of a thug."

"the ANC wishes to caution against any statements or actions that may inflame emotions or undermine the principled position the organisation has taken"

"The conference will not only focus on electing leaders, but will also deliberate our role in the coming local government elections."

"we are expected to come out with a blueprint to help our party win the local government elections”."

"There are many first-time and dejected voters that we want to persuade to vote for our party."

"Women have brought a different culture to Parliament. It’s less of a beer-swilling, let’s sort things out in the bar kind of place."

"MPs need a legal desk to explain legislation to them. When the department briefs you, you have no way of understanding. You’re not debating with effective input,”"

"We remain deeply concerned about the high unemployment rate of 33.5% among South Africans, particularly affecting our youth"

"Henceforth, the scale at which the partnership between government and business is to be elevated, there is much hope that we will see a turn on economic growth yielding to job creation"

"Whilst government has continued to put in place interventions like addressing load shedding, resolving transport and logistics challenges, the economy is not growing as expected"

"I believe that the only way of changing theeconomy of our province is to ensure that development targets the rural space, and agriculture is one sector that can assist with that"

"when you are deployed to a particular space like the provincial government sphere, you are humbled by the fact that you are one of the chosen few to be mandated to represent your organisation in government."

"You are the village it takes to raise a child"

"It is a great pleasure for me to form part of this engagement on our country’s journey towards a sustainable future."

"The democratic constitution removed legal barriers that were designed to stop women from participating in the economy, and mining in particular such as the South African Minerals Act of 1991 prohibited women from working underground"

"Despite facing numerous barriers, they have proven that with equal opportunities, women can excel and lead in any field"

"Women's Day is a moment to reflect on the strides we have made towards gender equality. It is also a time to acknowledge the challenges that persist"

"It is our firm belief as government that climate action must support our national imperatives to address poverty, inequality, and unemployment"

"This year, we took a significant step forward with the signing of the Climate Change Act into law. This legislation does not merely serve as a guideline; it enshrines our emissions reduction trajectory into statute"

"The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has a bold strategy to accelerate South Africa's transition to renewable energy and align the country’s energy policies with international climate commitments"

"My goal is to fight as per the 7 Cardinal pillars of EFF and achieve it."

"“We are expecting the commander-in-chief to talk about corruption, unemployment especially from the youth and education in South Africa is still not free"

"If people did not vote for us on that basis, why did these parties not win the elections?"

"But we were so happy with the outcome of the 2014 elections because we got 25 seats – a four-month baby got 1.1 million votes"

"We wanted to find out whether we should form an NGO or civil organisation to participate in the country’s politics, and then we agreed that we should form a political party called Economic Freedom in Our Lifetime, which ultimately became Economic Freedom Fighters"

"Then in 2024, Zuma decided to form MKP, and because he is based in KZN he got support in KZN. We have declined by five seats, which was the decline of the EFF in KZN because of the newly-formed MKP"

"Under apartheid, this exploitation was magnified to a grotesque degree. Apartheid policies entrenched their subjugation, ensuring their labour was extracted under conditions of extreme racial and economic disparity"

"Growing up, the sight of my mother in her maid uniform is a memory that has always stayed with me, a poignant reminder of the intersection of race, gender and class exploitation that defines the lives of so many black women in SA"

"Many women say that if Parliament – the legislative arm of government – is to be the locale of power and not the executive, then women must be better trained. Many women MPs had not seen draft statutes and, having come from the trenches, were not au fait with parliamentary proceedings."

"The gender quota is not up for debate in the ruling party and their gains have given a fillip to women in more conservative parties."

"A measured and God-fearing woman not usually given to such outbursts"

"Whenever female members stood up, they were clearly not interested. They [male MPs] started talking on their own.”"

"Some women in the ANC had wanted the quota beefed up to one in two candidates. They failed in their bid, but it remains the only party with a quota of seats reserved for women"

"Twenty-thousand interns will shortly be appointed as labour inspectors to ensure that businesses are complying with employment equity legislation."

"On the other hand, President Cyril Ramaphosa brings with him fresh hope."

"I told him I want nothing but to serve the poor and the marginalised."

"When I left the ANC [in 2008] there was no direction and a lot of corruption, but now we have the chance to turn things around"

"There is no other reason [for leaving the DA] than the poverty levels in this province‚ I have to admit‚ [and] that is why it had not been an easy decision to make"

"I wanted to go to the ANC to see if they can turn things around"

"The DA lacks action on poverty, that’s why I left"

"My message would be that you have an opportunity here to meet us halfway. We do not want to shut down Facebook. I think Facebook should continue to operate, but I think there’s an opportunity to demonstrate goodwill and to South Africa, it’s an opportunity in the small window that’s left, to take steps"

"It’s important for us to do this kind of advocacy, its important for us to start applying the pressure. And the fact that they don’t even make the effort, just shows how much they don’t care"

"If breakdown happens, you must never, ever think that it’s a sign of weakness or it’s a failure. Do not give up hope. Keep trying. Knock on every door."

"My late grandmother, a great matriarch is my hero. She was afraid of no one and spoke her mind. In meetings where only men were allowed to speak, she would stand up and speak."