Reboot no Regret
Reasons to join DIGSA
Issues that matter:
We are entering a digital revolution, and legislation and government should be reformed to suit. We are the first party to place the essential principles of privacy, digital liberties, and civil liberties at the heart of a political platform and to provide an unambiguous ‘push back’ in the face of growing challenges to these principles from business and government.
Part of a broader alliance:
The digital party aims to form alliances with forces that are fighting for policies based on both principles and evidence.
A new form of politics:
While technology continues to change our lives and improve our standards of communication, politics in South Africa has failed to keep up. We aim to offer an alternative: our meetings will be regular and always open to everyone, and there are a wide range of opportunities for members to engage. We offer a new form of politics driven from the grassroots and supported by the same technologies that have allowed communication and interaction to flourish around the world.
Inclusive and democratic:
We are South Africa’s most open and inclusive party. Full members are welcomed to nominate for any position and vote freely in all internal ballots. Our party is free of organised factions, party “whips” and lobbyists. All members are invited to help us shape our platform and build our policy expertise. Members have unfettered access to the Policy Development Committee and can provide policy ideas directly to the annual National Council.
Casual and relaxed meetings:
Politics shouldn’t be threatening, and we strive to promote an open and safe atmosphere. We will hold relaxed and casual meetups to discuss policy and campaign matters to get everybody up to speed regardless of knowledge level.
Working hard to represent you:
Party members will work hard to push the Party agenda in all available arenas, such as legislative reviews and inquiries. We will also work hard to represent you and your interests at relevant industry events. Keep up-to-date With regular news updates, mailing lists, chatrooms and virtual meetings, there will always be the opportunity to get up to speed, learn new things and keep the ball rolling.
Reboot no Regret
DIGSA Launch Statement
Today we introduce a new innovative digital political platform that aims to transform the political economy of South Africa.
This is a digital political platform that believes in the power of digital technology to drive social progress, economic growth and innovation across all sectors of our society. This is a digital political platform that believes in creating a better future for all South Africans regardless of their background or circumstance. This is a digital political platform that denounces bureaucracy, corruption and violence in all of its forms.
This digital political platform is the Digital Party South Africa (DIGSA).
DIGSA believes that for any government to make a meaningful change countrywide - especially the eradication and prevention of corruption and ID fraud, it should start by 1. the cleaning the National Population Register through the verification of all current ID documents to facilitate the introduction of a smart one stop ID document, and 2. professionalise the public service through the verification of qualifications of all public servants to facilitate the introduction of a digitilised, streamlined and efficient e-government service (from Parliamentary functions to all government services, except registrations of birth, death, marriage, and divorce).
Parallel to housekeeping of home affairs services mentioned above, South Africa needs to tighten border controls to curb the ever growing influx of undocumented immigrants. DIGSA believes the country’s immigration laws and processes should be reviewed to stop the flagrant fraud that facilitate the awarding of SAfrican IDs to illegal aliens and immigrants that do not qualify for such. People who are in the country illegally should be promptly deported and only allowed to apply for proper documentation in their country of origin.
DIGSA is committed to reforming gun laws to ensure that guns are only in the hands of responsible and law abiding citizens. DIGSA wants to eradicate gun violence in South Africa and create a safer society for all and to achieve this it envisages the creation of a military trained police unit that will be responsible for civilian protection duties. The justice system should be revamped by embracing relevant technologies such as integrated case management systems, video recording of victim complaints, and close circuit television cameras with face recognition software.
DIGSA believes that free universal internet access is a fundamental right for all South Africans. That is why DIGSA is committed to advocating for policies that will make this a reality. DIGSA understands that access to the Internet is essential for education, business and communication in the modern world. By providing free access to the Internet, DIGSA can help bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for all South Africans.
DIGSA also believes that reskilling and upskilling citizens with digital skills is essential in creating new job opportunities, new digital industries, and new digital entrepreneurs. DIGSA envisions a government that will invest education and training programmes that help South Africans acquire digital skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.
DIGSA also believes that quality education (a blend of virtual and contact mode of delivery) is the driver of economic growth and social progress. That is why DIGSA is committed to transforming the education system in country. DIGSA wants to create an education system that is responsive to the needs of students and teachers alike, and that prepares our young citizens for the digital ecosystem they are born in. This means investing in technology and digital resources, as well as ensuring that teachers are equipped with necessary skills to teach in a digital environment.
DIGSA believes that to ensure that economic empowerment initiative benefits reach the intended beneficiaries and all South African citizens, a BBBEE Agency to administer and regulate the issuing of BBBEE shares, and a Public/Private Partnership Agency to initiate, administer and regulate the funding of green field and infrastructural projects that would open to all citizens, should be established.
DIGSA believes in a universal basic income grant for all South Africans 18 years and above that will be merged with the tax system to ensure that all citizens benefit equitably. The proposed basic income grant will be paid in the form of a reverse income tax.
DIGSA believes that it is time to review international treaties signed with other countries. DIGSA wants to ensure that international agreements are fair and equitable, and that they promote the interests of South Africa and its citizens.
DIGSA also believes that it is time to legalise, regulate and commercialise cannabis. This will create new jobs, new money and new business opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs, small business owners, farmers, and ordinary citizens, and generate much-needed revenue for the government that can be used to support social and public choice programs, especially the arts and sports and contribute to the weak tax base.
DIGSA believes that housing, land distribution and land restitution are important issues that need to be addressed through a national dialogue leading to a National Land Plan. DIGSA wants to review the current policies and ensure that they are fair and equitable, and that they promote sustainable land use practices.
DIGSA believes in striking a balance between exploration of mineral resources for export and local beneficiation of mineral resources mined in order to contribute to economic growth through the development of a robust minerals processing and extraction industries to serve the Southern African region, and jewel polishing and design capabilities for the jewellery industry.
DIGSA wants to popularise agriculture and artisanship by investing in extensive education and training of individuals, local communities, small-scale farmers and artisans, and creating trade opportunities for them to market their products locally and internationally.
DIGSA believes in unlocking the potential in the plant indigenous knowledge systems to diversify the pharmaceutical industry by advocating and communicating for the review of patent law to facilitate the creation of new pharmaceutical industries, products, and jobs that will contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP). The reviewed patent law should prohibit patenting of indigenous plant but only allow for the patenting of end products.
DIGSA also believes that it is time to review the Copyright and Creators’ Protection Act and replace it with a new legislation designed from the ground up to be accessible to creators and consumers alike, to be relevant and robust in the digital environment, and to provide economic benefits to South Africa as a whole.
Lastly, South Africa needs to address the issue of ballooning loans from multilateral institutions by renegotiating such and appealing to the international community, specifically England and Netherlands, to consider contributing to the reduction of these loans as some form of an apology and reparations for historical colonial damage.
Patriotic South Africans, these are a few of the policies that DIGSA
is committed to advocating for. DIGSA believes that by embracing digital technology,
changing the way we do things, we can create a brighter future for all South
Africans, and build a society that is more equitable, prosperous, and just.
Please support and sign the Deed of Foundation of the Digital Party South Africa (DIGSA).
“REBOOT, NO REGRET”
VOTE
for the Digital Party South Africa (DIGSA)